A MOTORIST has died after he was hit by a lorry as he helped the driver of another broken-down vehicle.

The 65-year-old was struck as he assisted the driver of a Citroen AX that had broken down on the east-bound carriage way of the A66, near the Cargo Fleet roundabout, Middlesbrough.

He was fixing a tow rope between his vehicle and the Citroen when the accident happened at about 5pm on Thursday.

The man, who was driving a Musso 4x4, was taken to the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, with serious chest injuries but later died.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to contact Sergeant Nick Walker, at the road policing unit, on (01642) 301580.