AN elderly couple have died in a crash on a country road near York.

The married couple, who were in their eighties and from a village north of York, were in a Citroen Xsara travelling along Northgate Lane, near Gate Helmsley, when the car collided with a Land Rover. The couple died at the scene.

The 25-year-old driver of the Land Rover was treated by paramedics for minor injuries. Traffic Constable Martin Smith, of the Tadcaster Roads Policing Group, said: “This is a tragic incident in which an elderly couple have sadly lost their lives.

“Our thoughts are with their family and friends at this time.

“It is vital that we find out exactly what led to the collision and, to assist our investigation, I am appealing for anyone who saw the white Citroen or green Land Rover and trailer, either during or prior to the collision, to please contact us without delay.”

The accident happened at about 1.20pm yesterday at or near a narrowing in the road over a gully.

The Citroen ended up in a ditch and the Land Rover flipped on to its side.

Police and the ambulance and fire service were all called to the crash.

Collision investigators closed the road and spent hours at the scene examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A spokesman for the ambulance service confirmed an ambulance and senior manager had attended the crash and one casualty was treated for minor injuries.

Anyone with any information is asked to phone North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Traffic Constable Smith, collar number 383, or email him at martin.smith383@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk