A MOTORBIKE rider has died after a collision near Ripon and police are appealing for witnesses to help their investigation.

The motorcyclist, a 60-year-old man from Lancashire, was on the B6265 on Limekiln Bank near Studley Roger, just before the junction with Studley Lane. He was travelling towards Ripon when he came off his bike and was fatally injured just after 11am on Saturday, August 3.

No other vehicles were involved but police officers think a deer, found dead at the scene, ran out from the side of road and may have caused the rider to fall off.

Police are appealing for anyone who saw the white BMW motorbike travelling along the road towards Ripon before the crash, as well as anyone who saw the collision, to contact them.

The air ambulance attended, but sadly the rider was pronounced dead at the scene.

The road was closed to allow emergency services to deal with the collision and carry out a full examination of the scene, and was reopened at 2.50pm.

Anyone who can help the police investigation is asked to call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Traffic Constable Rob Roberts, or email rob.roberts@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.