A COUPLE are critically ill in hospital after falling from a motorbike at the weekend.

The man and his wife, who are from County Durham, were seriously injured on the A61 at Melmerby, near Ripon in North Yorkshire.

The motorcycle was being ridden by the man, who is in his 50s, while his wife, believed to be in her 40s, was a pillion passenger.

The woman was taken to Leeds General Hospital by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, while her husband was air lifted to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough by the Great North Air Ambulance.

Officers from North Yorkshire Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

A spokesman said: “At about 1.40pm on Saturday, September 7, 2019, a Kawasaki motorcycle was travelling towards Ripon on the A61.

“The motorcycle has had cause to swerve and has left the road, throwing the pillion and rider.

“It is understood at this time that no other vehicles were involved.

“The man and woman were taken to hospital, where they remain critically ill.”

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the collision, or saw the motorcycle in the moments before it happened, or has any dash-cam footage that could help the investigation, to get in touch.

The non-emergency number is 101, and people can quote reference 121-9016-6202 when sharing information.