A MOTORCYCLIST from East Yorkshire has been killed in a head-on crash near Selby.

The collision, involving a black Honda CBF600F motorbike and a black Ford Focus which were travelling in opposite directions, happened just after 5.20pm yesterday on Birkin Lane in Birkin, near Knottingley.

The 44-year-old motorcyclist from Snaith, who has not yet been named, was pronounced dead at the scene. The 18-year-old driver of the Focus, who is from Normanton, West Yorkshire, is in a critical but stable condition in Leeds General Infirmary.

Two other passengers travelling in the Focus were treated for minor injuries. The road was closed for six-and-a-half hours following the collision.

Traffic Constable Martin Hayes, of North Yorkshire Police's roads policing group, said: "I am appealing to anybody who witnessed this tragic collision, which has left one man dead and another fighting for his life, or recalls seeing any of the vehicles prior to the collision to contact the police as a matter of urgency."

Witnesses or anybody with information should phone Traffic Constable Hayes at Tadcaster police station on 0845 6060 247, quoting reference number 12110105464.