A TRUCK driver has been killed and another seriously injured in a crash between three HGVs on the A1 in North Yorkshire this morning.

The crash happened on the northbound carriageway of the A1 south of Catterick , near the Kirby Fleetham junction, at 2am today.

Police said a HGV carrying bottled gas collided with another lorry carrying a green combine harvester that was parked in a lay-by.

The HGV carrying bottled gas stopped shortly after the collision, but was then struck by a third wagon which was towing a curtain side trailer.

The male driver of the HGV carrying bottled gas suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The male driver of the curtain side HGV was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Police collision investigators are carrying out enquiries at the scene.

Highways officers have put in place a diversion running between Junction 51 at Leeming Bar and Scotch Corner. This is expected to be in place until at least 5pm while resurfacing work is carried out.

The southbound carriageway is open.

Anyone with information that could assist the collision investigation is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Martin Usher.

Six hours after the lorry crash, there was a six-car pile-up on one of the diversionary routes from the A1 accident.

Police arrested a 19-year-old man from Richmond on suspicion of drink driving after the collision at 8.10am on the B6271 at Great Langton. The road diversion was completely blocked whilst emergency services dealt with the second pile-up and reopened the road at about 10.10am.

As a result of the collision, two people were taken to the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, suffering from minor injuries.

The 19-year-old man who was arrested remains in police custody for questioning.