A Cross Hills motorcyclist died on Sunday after a collision which involved a second motorbike and a car.

Patrick Hardy, 35, of Campbell Street, was riding his blue and red Honda on the A684 between Hawes and Sedbergh, when he was in collision with a Nissan Primera at Thwaite Bridge.

The rider of the second motorbike, John George, from Upholland, near Wigan, also died when his black Honda Fireblade ploughed into the wreckage.

The accident happened at 1.50pm on Sunday, in what North Yorkshire police describe as very good conditions and light traffic.

Traffic police at Northallerton believe Mr Hardy would not have seen the car as he approached the brow of a blind hill.

Two occupants of the Nissan, driven by Betty Lambert of Ilkley, were unhurt.

Both bike riders were travelling towards Sedbergh at the time, with the car travelling in the opposite direction towards Hawes.

Traffic Constable Claire Sawyer of Northallerton police says the stretch of road is becoming increasingly dangerous.

She explains: "It is a very busy road which is used by a lot of motorcyclists, and we are seeing more and more accidents with increasing numbers of fatalities.'

"The accident happened on a little blind hill so the first motorcyclist may not have seen the car coming the other way.'

An inquest into both deaths was opened on Tuesday, and Northallerton police are still looking for witnesses.

Anyone with information can contact them on 01609 789421.

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