A WOMAN is in hospital with serious injuries after a motorbike she was a passenger on collided with a truck.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a red Honda motorcycle collided with a white Ford Transit tipper on the B6271, Brompton-on-Swale to Richmond road, at around 4.05pm on Wednesday.

The 61-year-old victim, who is from the Thornaby area of Stockton-on-Tees, was the pillion passenger on the motorcycle, ridden by a 62-year-old man who is also from the Thornaby area.

The pair were travelling from Richmond towards Brompton-on-Swale when they hit the tipper, which was emerging from the junction at Millbry Hill, near Broken Brae Farm.

Both motorcyclists were trapped under the tipper.

The 61-year-old woman suffered life-threatening head and spinal injuries in the collision and was airlifted to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, where she remains in a critical condition.

The rider of the motorcycle sustained a minor wrist injury while the driver of the Ford tipper was uninjured but shaken by the incident.

Officers are appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision to come forward.

Traffic Sergeant Clare Sawyer, of North Yorkshire Police's road policing group, said: "This was a serious collision which has resulted in someone sustaining life-threatening injuries.

"I am appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision itself or saw either vehicle prior to the collision to contact the police with information."

The road was closed until about 7.50pm as police conducted their investigation into the incident.

Anyone who can help the police with their enquiries is urged to contact TS Sawyer, on 0845-60-60-247, quoting reference number 12110107206.