POLICE are seeking three vital witnesses as part of the investigation into an accident in which a 31-year-old motorcyclist died on Wednesday.

Tyrone Cunningham, from the Dane Park area of Hull, was riding his black and red Yamaha motorcycle when he was killed in the accident which occurred just after 4pm, near Thornton-le-Dale.

Police say he had overtaken on the road which leads from the Fox And Rabbit pub to Thornton-le-Dale, just past the turn-off to Dalby Forest, before his bike left the road, and he suffered fatal injuries.

Investigations are ongoing into the exact circumstances of the collision which also involved a grey Fiat Stilo. Police are seeking a man who stopped to help at the scene, who was driving a flatbed, pick-up style vehicle and said he was either a fireman or a retired fireman.

A man and woman who also stopped to help, who were in a dark-coloured 4x4 vehicle, are also being asked to contact police as soon as possible as they could have vital information which could help the investigation.

Witnesses should phone Sergeant John Clayton at Malton Road Policing Group on 0845 60 60 247, quoting reference NYP-04052011-0312.