POLICE are appealing for a lorry driver who could have vital information about a road accident that claimed the life of a young woman at the weekend to get in touch.

Accident investigators believe a lorry driver who was travelling along the A66 on Saturday morning may have caught sight of the crash in which 21-year-old Rebekah Lucy Stephens died.

Miss Stephens was a passenger in a Vauxhall Astra travelling east along the A66 near Barnard Castle, County Durham, when it left the road and collided with a tree before overturning.

Miss Stephens, of Fishergate, York, died from her injuries.

An inquest into her death was opened and adjourned by south Durham and Darlington coroner Andrew Tweddle yesterday.

Her 19-year-old brother, James, of Bedale, North Yorkshire, who was driving, was treated at Darlington Memorial Hospital for cuts and mild concussion.

The accident happened near the Cross Lanes junction, about 200 metres west of the B6277, at 12.30am on Saturday. The road was closed for almost six hours.

PC Mal Thomas, of Durham Constabulary's specialist accident investigation unit, said the driver of a large articulated lorry travelling ahead of the Astra may have evidence that was important to the inquiry.

The lorry played no part in the crash, but the driver may have seen the Astra in his rear view mirror in the seconds before the accident happened

PC Thomas said: "It is important we trace him and talk to him."

The lorry was thought to be hauling a long box or container and drove with headlights and spotlights illuminated.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the accident investigation team on 0191-375 2159.