AN elderly driver has died after his car was in collision with a bin lorry on a North Yorkshire country road.

The 70-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene after his Skoda Fabia collided with a refuse collection vehicle travelling in the opposite direction.

The tragedy happened shortly before 9am today, April 19, about two miles north of the Stonehouse Inn on the road between Blubberhouses and Greenhow Hill, north of Thruscross reservoir in the Harrogate area.

The driver of the wagon, a man in his 20s, was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary with a serious arm injury and the passenger in the wagon, also in his 20s, was airlifted to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough with a serious shoulder injury.

The dead man was from the Otley area, but his identity has yet to be released by police.

Officers are appealing for witnesses to the collision and in particular want to speak to a man driving a blue Mini who was travelling north, in the direction of Pateley Bridge. He stopped to help at the scene of the crash but left before the police arrived.

Contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for TC Dave Seavers of the Major Collision Investigation Team. Or email dave.seavers@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

The road was closed for several hours to allow collision investigators to examine the scene.