INVESTIGATIONS are continuing into a freak accident which claimed the life of a 21-year-old racegoer enjoying a day out at the Ascot of the North.

Jack Yates was killed in a fall at a stand at York racecourse at the end of Saturday’s meeting.

He is understood to have fallen down the void between internal staircases within the Knavesmire Stand at 5.30pm, shortly after the end of the day’s final race.

Police believe there were no suspicious circumstances but both they and the Health and Safety Executive are investigating the incident.

Mr Yates came from Queensbury, near Bradford, and had been enjoying day at the races with a group of friends when the tragedy happened.

He had worked at a farm shop in West Yorkshire for a number of years - and had spoken on Twitter of his excitement at going to the races earlier on Saturday.

One of his colleagues said the dead man had worked in the human resources department and was popular with all members of staff.

“It’s just such a shock,” he added.

“We’re still trying to get our heads around what has happened. He was extremely well-liked. We’re just trying to come to terms with it.”

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said: “The incident has been reported to us and we are liaising with the police, who are leading on the incident at this time.”

Police said they were treating the death as a “tragic accident” and did not believe there were any suspicious circumstances.

They are also appealing for anyone who was in the Knavesmire stand or who had information about what happened to contact them on 101.