AN 80-year-old man was injured when the bus he was travelling on was in collision with a tipper lorry.

The pensioner, from Wingate, County Durham, was a passenger on a double-decker when the accident happened on the A171 at Aislaby, near Whitby.

He suffered a back injury as he fell from his seat and is recovering in the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. The injury is said to be serious but not life-threatening.

The incident happened at about 4.20pm last Friday, February 14, and police are now appealing for witnesses to come forward.

They particularly want to trace the driver of a forklift or telehandler, similar to a JCB, which was travelling in front of the bus just prior to the collision.

PC Neil Graham said: “If you are the driver the JCB-type vehicle which was on the A171, near Aislaby, I urge you to contact the police straight away as you may have vital information that could help my enquiries.

“I am also keen to speak to anyone witnessed the collision and ask them to get in touch.”

Contact Whitby police on 101, select option two and ask for Neil Graham. Alternatively, information can be emailed to neil.graham@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk