ON the weekend that police issued a warning to motorcyclists to ride more safely as the death toll on North Yorkshire roads increases, two more motorcyclists died in crashes while riding in the county.

Police have named the first as John Crampsey, 61, who died while out riding his Suzuki motorcycle on the A59 from Allerton Park towards York, near Flaxby, on Saturday at about 8.30am.

A black Mitsubishi pick-up truck collided with Mr Crampsey, from Ayton, Washington, Tyne and Wear, and a friend, who was on another motorcycle, at a T-junction.

The 28-year-old driver of the pick-up truck was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and being unfit to drive through drink and possibly drugs and has since been released on bail to allow police more time to investigate.

The second death of the weekend occurred on Sunday when a motorcyclist lost control of his bike and hit a tree.

The crash happened on the B1222, one mile east of Biggin Crossroads, travelling along Bishop Dyke Road from Sherburn in Elmet to Cawood, at about 3pm on Sunday.

The 44-year-old rider of a Honda 1000 Repsol lost control while driving round a bend and hit a tree.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

The motorcyclist was part of a group of riders, and police are appealing for anyone who saw the way they were driving before the incident to contact TC Paul Stamp at Tadcaster Road Policing Group, quoting reference 12090114067, on 0845-60-60-247.