A MAN in his fifties has died after his car left the road in North Yorkshire.

Police were contacted at 10.55am Saturday with a report that a car, which had been travelling on the Buttertubs Pass near to the village of Thwaite, had left the road.

Emergency services attended the incident, along with Swaledale Mountain Rescue who, due to the final positioning of the car, offered their specialist assistance.

However the driver, a local man in his fifties, died at the scene.

Police are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen the vehicle before the crash.

Traffic Sergeant Mark Patterson said: "“Members of the public who were travelling along that section of road on Saturday morning, may hold vital information which will help us to determine the circumstances around the incident.

“If you were in the area at the time and saw the Land Rover, I’d ask you to contact us, as the smallest amount of information may help us piece together exactly what has happened, in order for the car to leave the road."

“I’d also like to thank the Swaledale Mountain Rescue team for their assistance with this incident. Their skills and knowledge of the area have enabled my team to conduct and full and thorough investigation of the collision site.”

Anyone who witnessed the collision, or saw the vehicles manner of driving prior to it leaving the road, is asked to dial 101, select option 2 and ask to speak to the Major Collision Investigation Team.

You can also email Mark.Patterson@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk , Gemma.Brett@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or MCIT@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

The reference number is 12200006045.