A MAN riding a horse and cart has died and four others were injured in a crash near Selby.

North Yorkshire Police said the crash happened on the A63 at about 7.45pm on Thursday on the stretch of carriageway known as the Great North Road, close to the South Milford Lodge.

The crash involved a small, silver Ford panel van and a horse and cart which were both travelling in the northbound carriageway, and a local man riding in the cart, believed to be in his twenties, suffered serious injuries and died at the scene.

Four other people, including a man and three children who were also travelling on the horse and cart, were all taken to Leeds General Infirmary. The man and two of the children, both boys, remain in LGI with serious injuries.

The fifth casualty, also a boy, was discharged from hospital after receiving treatment for a knee injury.

The driver of the van, a 45-year-old man from Leeds, suffered minor injuries in the crash, was arrested over the incident and remains in police custody.

Anyone who saw either of the vehicles prior to the crash, or who saw the collision, is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police's Major Collision Investigation Team on 101 or email MCIT@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk