A MOTORCYCLIST is in critical condition in hospital after a crash in North Yorkshire.


The collision happened at 10.20am yesterday on the northbound carriageway of the A168 between Topcliffe and Thirsk near The Grange turn-off, and involved a motorcyclist riding a black Kawasaki, and a white Ford pick-up which was towing a horsebox.


A police spokesman said both vehicles were on the northbound carriageway and collided when the pick-up and horsebox attempted a manoeuvre. The motorcycle came to rest in the central reservation.


The motorcyclist, a man in his 50s from County Durham, sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough where he remained in a critical condition.


The driver of the pickup, a man in his 30s from Doncaster, was arrested.


The northbound carriageway was fully closed until 2.45pm, while the southbound carriageway was partially closed to allow the Yorkshire Air Ambulance to land.


Police are appealing for anyone who was travelling north or south wards on the A168 and who saw either vehicles before the crash, or witnessed it, to phone Traffic Constable Neil Cholmondeley on 101,  or email neil.cholondeley@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk