A MOTORCYLIST who collided with three cars on a York road was the 17th biker to have died on North Yorkshire's roads this year.

Norman Anthony Berry, 40, of Leeds, died at York Hospital from injuries he suffered when his black 600cc Kawasaki hit the rear of a line of cars in Wigginton Road.

Police chiefs say there is no "magic solution" to the grisly toll of deaths on the rural roads of North Yorkshire, which could top last year's figure of 23.

Traffic Sergeant Nigel Atkinson, commenting on the general issue of biker deaths, said today that officers sometimes "despaired" that their best efforts at enforcement and education seemed to have little effect.

He said: "If I'm honest I think we sometimes despair. I think we try everything. Some riders come in and fly around with total disregard for their safety or that of others."

Saturday's tragedy occurred when the rider collided with the rear of three cars which had slowed close to Wigginton Nurseries, about a half-a-mile north of the York ring road.

Investigators say a car at the head of the line of traffic, which was heading towards Helmsley, was slowing or had stopped to turn right into Brecks Farm.

No one in the three cars, a black VW Golf, red Vauxhall Vectra or green Renault Clio, was injured in the accident at about 10.40am.

Sergeant John Settle, of York Police, said: "Sadly, the rider collided with the rear of the Vectra and has gone over the top and suffered multiple injuries. We are trying to piece together exactly what happened."

Anyone who saw the accident should contact York Police on 01904 631321.

Updated: 10:47 Monday, July 28, 2003