POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a woman was killed in a crash with a tractor in North Yorkshire.

Officers said the 45-year-old woman was driving towards Pickering in a white Citroën Berlingo, overtaking a cyclist, when she collided with a Massey Ferguson tractor going in the opposite direction.

The accident happened on the A169, between Malton and Pickering, in the Howe Bridge area, near the Whole Hog farm shop and restaurant, at about 6pm on Thursday, closing the road for five hours.

The male cyclist heading towards Pickering is thought to have witnessed the crash.

The woman was from Pickering, but has not yet been named.

The 47-year-old local man driving the tractor was not injured, a police spokesman said.

Sergeant Neil Campbell, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision or any of the vehicles prior to the incident.

“I urge them to contact the police as soon as possible.”

Witnesses should phone Sgt Campbell or TC Paul Moon on 0845 6060247.

Police are also still seeking witnesses to three unrelated accidents that happened in York on Wednesday evening.

A moped rider was injured in a collision with a van in Rawcliffe at about 5pm; a motorcyclist was then injured in a collision with a car in Bootham at about 6.40pm, and then a motorist was injured in a three-car crash in Mill Lane, Wigginton, at about 10pm.

Witnesses to any of those accidents should also phone 0845 6060247.