A VINTAGE police car, used in TV's Heartbeat series, was involved in a real-life tragedy yesterday.

The light-blue Ford Anglia was being towed along the A19 in North Yorkshire when the driver of a Mitsubishi pick-up pulling the trailer lost control of the vehicle.

The truck hit a Ford Focus coming the other way before plunging into a ditch at the side of the road near Shipton, between York and Easingwold.

A 68-year-old local man at the wheel was later pronounced dead at the scene. He was later released from the vehicle by firefighters, called to the accident from Acomb and Tadcaster.

The driver of the black Ford Focus was shaken but otherwise unhurt. The identity of the man who died has not yet been confirmed.

Police are still investigating the cause of the accident and are hoping to speak to other drivers who may have seen what happened or either vehicle shortly before the crash.

Anyone who can help can telephone (01723) 509555.

Meanwhile, a 43-year-old man killed on the A1(M) in North Yorkshire on Monday was yesterday named as Andrew Plummer of Hamilton, Lanarkshire.

Mr Plummer's car was struck by a lorry on the northbound carriageway of the motorway as he repaired a puncture on the hard shoulder. His wife, Alison - who was waiting on the grass bank nearby - needed treatment for severe shock.

The lorry driver, who comes from Wales, suffered minor injuries.

He has since been arrested and bailed.