POLICE have launched an investigation into a man's death on Christmas Day after what appears to have been a freak accident.
The 23-year-old had been travelling in the back of a pick-up van, which was also carrying a 13ft farm gate, between midnight and 12.30am on Christmas Eve when the tragedy happened.
The man, who has yet to be named, suffered head injuries when he and the gate were thrown from the van.
He was rushed to hospital, but was pronounced dead early on Christmas Day.
The incident happened as the pick-up, a red and white Mitsubishi, travelled through Rudgate at Wighill, near Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, possibly heading towards Wetherby.
"He could have been thrown out by the motion of the vehicle, but we are investigating to establish exactly what happened," said a police spokesman.
Anyone who saw the incident or with any information is asked to contact the police on 0845-60-60-247.
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