Updated: A potential vital witness is being sought by police as they piece together the cause of a crash near York which left a man dead.

The accident, which happened at 8.14pm on Tuesday on the York outer ring-road, involved a Tesco heavy goods vehicle and a Vauxhall Signum.

The driver of the Vauxhall was pronounced dead at the scene.

North Yorkshire Police have issued an urgent appeal to a female driver who they believe could hold vital information.

She is understood to have been travelling behind the lorry at the time of the smash, but left the scene before officers had a chance to speak to her.

Traffic constable Lee Cobb, of Tadcaster Road Policing Group, said: “It is important that anyone who witnessed the collision contacts the police as soon as they can.

“We would particularly like to speak to a woman who was directly behind the lorry when the collision happened. She left the scene immediately after the incident and she may well have information that could be very helpful to the investigation.

“I urge anyone who witnessed the collision itself or saw either vehicle prior to the incident to contact the police with information.”

The smash happened between the B1224 Wetherby Road and the Moor Lane roundabout on the A1237.

The Tesco lorry driver, 59, from Doncaster, suffered minor injuries and was treated at York Hospital. Tesco declined to comment on the incident.

The A1237 remained closed for eight hours in both directions as investigators scoured the scene and North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service helped with the clear up.

A spokesman for the fire service said: “We sent two appliances from Acomb and a rescue unit from Tadcaster. The police did their investigation then called us back later to remove the body.”

Police said the dead man is 40-years-old and has yet to be formerly identified. It is believed he is not from the York area.

Anyone who can help the police with their inquiries is urged to phone PC Lee Cobb, on 0845 60 60 24 7.