A MOTORCYCLIST has suffered serious injuries in a crash near York.

The collision between a blue and white Suzuki bike and a white panel van, which were both heading towards Boroughbridge, happened on the B6265 near Green Hammerton at about 9am today.

The 28-year-old motorcyclist, from Boroughbridge, was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary with serious back and leg injuries, with the van driver, who is in his 40s and from York, being uninjured. Police have appealed for the driver of a silver car which was travelling in the same direction at the time of the crash, which led to the road being closed until 1.30pm, to come forward as they may have vital information.

The driver and anybody else who was in the area at the time witnessed the collision should phone Traffic Constable Steve James at the Harrogate roads policing unit on 0845 6060 247.