A MOTORCYCLIST has died following a collision near on the A171 near Whitby.

It happened just south of the village of Hawsker at about 7.15am today.

It involved a red Volkswagen Transporter van and a red Ducati 1299 motorbike. The Ducati motorbike was travelling towards Whitby in the company of two other motorbikes.

As a result of the collision the rider of the motorbike, a man aged in his 60s from the Driffield area, suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene.

Police are appealing to anyone who saw either of the vehicles prior to the incident or who witnessed the collision, to please contact them.

Anyone with any information, including any dash-cam footage taken in the area prior to, or after the collision, is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for the Major Collision Investigation Unit or email MCIT@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

Please quote reference number 12190122590 when providing any information.

The driver of the Volkswagen Transporter, a 38 year-old man from the Midlands area was arrested at the scene of the collision and remains in custody for questioning.

The road was closed for sometime to allow emergency services to respond. It reopened about 1.25pm.