A MAN has died after his motorbike crashed on the A170 yesterday.

The incident happened on the Thirsk to Helmsley section of the road, between the turn-offs to Ampleforth and Sproxton.

It was reported to police just before 2pm, when a passing motorist came across the motorbike which had hit a telegraph pole at the side of the road.

The motorcyclist, a 51-year-old man from Middlesbrough, was travelling east towards Helmsley at the time of the collision.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The road was closed to allow emergency services to deal with the incident and to allow collision investigators to examine the scene. It reopened at 5.40pm. 

Officers are looking into the circumstances of the collision and are appealing to anyone who was travelling along the A170 between Helmsley and Thirsk on Thursday afternoon to contact them.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for the Major Collision Investigation Team or email mcit@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

Quote reference number 12170156031 when passing on information.

This story was updated at 1pm on Friday, September 1.