AN investigation has been launched after a Northallerton man died after being hit by a machine on a Richmondshire farm.

The 71-year-old was killed on October 28 after being hit by a Manitou telehandler - a crane-like vehicle - on farm land near Gilling West.

Both the land and air ambulances and police attended the scene at around 8.45am.

But despite the efforts of ambulance staff, the man died at the scene due to the severity of the injuries he sustained.

A spokeswoman from North Yorkshire Police said: “A police investigation is underway to determine the circumstances around the incident.

“A 33-year-old man from Darlington has been interviewed under caution.”

The police are leading the investigation but are receiving assistance from the Health and Safety Executive.

A spokesman said: “Our initial notification is that a member of the public was killed when struck by a telehandler.” The NFU is aware of the incident and is liaising with the farmer.