A 15-year-old girl died and seven other people were injured in a crash on the A19 near Selby .

A 30-year-old man was fighting for his life at Pinderfields Hospital yesterday, following the collision at about 8.15pm on Monday between Chapel Haddlesey and Burn, said a North Yorkshire Police spokesman.

He said the teenager, who was pronounced dead at the scene, had been a rear-seat passenger in a white Vauxhall Astra, which was travelling towards Burn when it was in collision with a green Ford Focus travelling in the opposite direction.

The 30-year-old man driving the Focus was taken to Pinderfields Hospital with serious injuries, while the front-seat passenger, another 30-year-old man, and two girls aged four and five suffered minor injuries. The 24-year-old woman driving the Astra, a 27-year-old man and an 18-month-old baby who were also in the car were taken to York Hospital with minor injuries.

The police spokesman said the Astra was believed to have been following a BMW before the accident. Traffic Sergeant Dave Willey, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “This is a tragic incident which has left a young girl dead and a man seriously ill in hospital.

“I urge anyone who witnessed collision or saw the manner of driving any of the vehicles prior to the incident to contact the police straight away.”

He said no arrests had been made following the accident.

Anyone with information about the crash, or who saw either vehicle prior to the incident should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, press option two and ask for Martin Hayes.