THIS is the scene after a devastating crash in which a driver died after smashing into the stone archway at Castle Howard, near York.

The 43-year-old man died when the 4x4 car he was driving smashed into the archway - less than three months after another fatal crash at the same spot.

The man, who police have confirmed was from the Stamford Bridge area, was driving a silver Nissan Terrano on a minor road leading from the A64 towards Castle Howard when it happened.

Police were alerted at 2.50pm by an ambulance crew which was in the area, and two engines from Malton Fire Station attended the scene.

A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said the driver was the sole occupant of the car and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Senior investigating officer Sergeant Paul Stephenson said: "We are not looking for anybody else or any other vehicle, but if anyone witnessed the incident, or saw the vehicle prior to the collision, we would like to hear from them."

A Crime Scene Investigation team attended and firefighters used cutting equipment to remove the body from the car.

The road was closed and structural engineers were expected at the site by 5.30pm to check the safety of the archway.

Sgt Stephenson said: "The road won't be reopened for a couple of days. There's still structural damage to the archway which will have to be reassessed today."

He added: "The investigation is still continuing in relation to how the incident came about."

On August 15, 23-year-old Lawrence Koppert died at the same spot. His family said he killed himself by driving his car at high speed into the ornate archway because he could not face going back to prison.

It happened only hours before the University of York student was due in York Crown Court on a wounding charge, which he denied.

The road, called The Stray, leads to Castle Howard and narrows to a single lane under the archway.

In yesterday's crash, the car hit the left hand side of the archway.

The driver's name was being withheld until police could notify next of kin.

Castle Howard declined to comment on the incident at this stage.

Anyone with any information on the incident should phone the police on (01723) 509555.

Updated: 09:23 Wednesday, November 02, 2005