A BIKER from County Durham who died in a crash on the A66 on Monday has been named as 62-year-old Charles Rayner. 

Mr Rayner, from Bishop Middleham, near Ferryhill, was out for a ride on his BMW bike when he was in collision with a Toyota Hilux at about 10am. 

Described by his family as an experienced motorcyclist, Mr Rayner worked in North Tyneside as a construction manager for the Keir Group. He leaves a widow, Christine and an adult son, Adam.

Mr Rayner was declared dead at the scene.

The collision happened on Stainmore near to Spital Park Farm.

A 20-year-old man from Bowes, a 48-year-old man from Whitby and 15-year-old boy from Barnard Castle were traveling in the Toyota Hilux. None of them were injured.

The road was closed for more than four hours after the incident to allow for collision investigation work to be carried out.

PC Glen Henderson from the roads policing unit said: “I am keen to hear from anyone in the area at the time of the incident or anyone who saw either of the vehicles in the time leading up to it.

"A man has tragically lost his life and any information to help us establish the circumstances around the collision would be appreciated.”

The collision was the second fatal accident on the A66 in the space of a week.

A 78-year-old man, and his wife, 71, from Lanarkshire, in Scotland, were killed on the road last Wednesday in a crash which also injured a 61-year-old man from Doncaster.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 and ask for the collision investigation unit.