A MAN died after his car crashed into a stone arch outside a stately home.

The accident happened at the Carmire Gate at the main entrance to the Castle Howard estate, North Yorkshire, at 11am this morning.

It involved a white BMW car being driven towards Slingsby along The Stray from the direction of the A64. It hit the right hand side of the arch at the gateway, which narrows to single lane.

The driver, the only occupant of the car, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The location has been the scene of two other fatal crashes in the last two and a half years.

Traffic Constable Nigel Atkinson, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "The male driver of the BMW drove from the direction of the A64 at high speeds and he suffered fatal injuries. He has yet to be identified and we are investigating the cause of his death."

The road was closed between Coneysthorpe and Welburn for crash investigators to examine the scene and remove the wreckage.

Gamekeeper Sam Newton, 28, heard the crash as he was working on the estate. "I didn't see the car because I was working among some trees, but I heard a car coming down the road," he said. "Then there was a bang and I ran over to see what had happened. As soon as I saw the wreckage I called the emergency services."

Anyone who witnessed the crash or saw the BMW immediately beforehand is asked to contact police on 0845-6060247.