A 73-YEAR-OLD motorcyclist was airlifted to hospital with serious head injuries following a crash on the North York Moors, writes Jennifer Bell.

Police are appealing for witnesses following the collision shortly after 6pm on Saturday.

They are particularly keen to trace two men who stopped at the scene and helped to lift the motorcycle, but then carried on their journey.

The motorcyclist, a local man, was riding a blue BMW 1100 RT towards Castleton on the road between Hutton-le-Hole and Castleton, when he hit a grass verge and came off his bike, suffering serious head and chest injuries. He was airlifted to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough, where he remains in a serious, but stable condition.

Two other vehicles, a silver Ford Fusion and a blue-green Fiat Punto were involved, although police say there is no evidence to suggest any contact between any of the vehicles.

Anyone with information should phone police on 0845 60602471.