A MOTORCYCLE pillion passenger has suffered serious injuries after a colliding with two deer near England's steepest A-road.

The man, in his seventies and from Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, was airlifted to James Cook University Hospital, where he remains in a serious but stable condition following the crash at Sutton Bank, near Thirsk, shortly before 5pm on Sunday (May 17).

The rider of the motorcycle, a man in his fifties who is also from Hebden Bridge, was taken to York Hospital with minor injuries after the incident on the Helmsley side of Sutton Bank.

Police said both deer were killed in the collision on the boundary on the North York Moors National Park, where there are extensive woodlands.

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

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident, or who saw the vehicle before the collision to call 101 or email MCIT@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk