POLICE are appealing for information following two fatal crashes on the A65 in Craven yesterday.

The first accident happened near Ingleton at 2.45pm.

The incident involved three cars – a red VW, a black Audi S3 and a blue Saab 93 – and a blue Yamaha YZF-R1 motorcycle.

The motorcyclist, a 38-year-old man from Merseyside, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police arrested the driver of the VW, an 83-year-old woman from Keighley. She has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

The road was closed for about seven hours.

Anyone who saw the incident or any of the vehicles prior to the collision is asked to contact police.

Dial 101, press 2 and ask to speak to Sergeant Hamish Halloway from the Major Collision Investigation Team or Traffic Constable 771 Steven James. Alternatively, e-mail steven.james771@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or Hamish.halloway@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk. Quote reference number 12180196523.

The second collision happened at 5.40pm just south of Settle and involved a silver Citroen Berlingo and a blue Suzuki GSX 1250 motorcycle.

The rider of the motorcycle, a 61-year-old man from Leeds, was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary but died shortly afterwards.

The driver of the Citroen, a 45-year-old man from Leeds, was uninjured.

The road was closed to allow emergency services to work at the scene and it reopened at around 2am today.

Anyone who saw the incident or either of the vehicles prior to the collision is asked to contact Sgt Halloway. Quote reference number 12180196653.

Sgt Halloway said: "Both of these devastating incidents happened on the A65 in the Craven area within a few hours of each other.

"I am appealing to anyone who was travelling on the A65 yesterday to get in touch with North Yorkshire Police. Even if you did not witness the collisions, you might have some information which could assist the investigations into these tragic events.

"My thoughts remain with all those involved in the collisions, especially with those who have lost a loved one."