POLICE investigating a fatal road accident that killed a young submariner are appealing for a driver of a car in the area at the time to come forward.

Marine engineering mechanic Craig Samuels, 21, of Westwick, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, died on Sunday, March 14, after suffering fatal injuries in a road accident on the A67, near Piercebridge.

The mechanic's red Toyota MR2 GT had been travelling west when it left the road and collided with trees, about 30 metres east of the entrance to White Cross Farm, at about 10.50am.

Accident investigator, PC Dale Cowey said information had come to light which suggested a dark coloured car, possibly with a roof rack, was travelling in the area at the time.

PC Cowey added: "The vehicle continued on in a westerly direction away from the accident scene towards Gainford.

"There's a lay-by on the left, just prior to the accident scene and it's possible the car pulled out of that lay-by and its driver was totally unaware that the accident had taken place.

"We would urge the driver of that car to come forward as they might have useful information which might assist with our inquiry."

Mr Samuels was the only person in the car and was pronounced dead at the scene.

He had recently completed a submarine course at HMS Raleigh, at Torpoint, in Cornwall, and the following day was due to embark on the submarine HMS Spartan at Faslane, on the River Clyde, in Scotland, to begin his initial tour of sea duty.

The police accident investigation unit can be contacted on 0191-375 2159.