A driver has died after a crash involving a high-powered Porsche and an Aston Martin supercar.

The blue Porsche 911 GT3 barrel-rolled several times then demolished a lamppost trapping the 21-year-old driver upside down. It took paramedics and firefighters from Bradford, Batley and Morley 20 minutes to free him from the wreckage of the crash in Drighlington.

An emergency doctor was also called to the scene to treat the driver, Richard Whitelock, of River Place, Gargrave, near Skipton. He was taken to Leeds General Infirmary where he died of his injuries yesterday.

A male passenger in the Porsche, who has not been named, was treated at the hospital for minor injuries.

The driver of the grey Aston Martin DB7, a 25-year-old Keighley man, was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and later released on police bail.

The accident took place near the Old Brickworks pub, Bradford Road, Drighlington, shortly after 11pm on Wednesday.

Morley fire station watch manager Dave Smith said: "When we arrived one car was there which had rolled over several times and hit a lamppost landing on its roof.

"The roof was compacted and the driver was inside. There were two people, one was outside and the other was trapped.

"We knew it was going to be a long and delicate operation and it was very touch and go at one point. The car was on top of the flattened lamppost and the current was still live."

The road was closed until early yesterday while police accident investigators examined the scene.

No-one at the farm Mr Whitelock's parents, Colin and Sheila, own in Gargrave would comment about the tragedy yesterday.

As well as the farm, his family run a plant hire business Whitelock Plant Ltd, near Hellifield, for which he worked.

The company is involved in contract work to construct a new gas pipe which stretches through Upper Airedale and Wharfedale.

Mr Whitelock, a former pupil of Settle High School, has an elder brother, John, and sister, Hannah, who had just returned from an extended holiday in Australia.

Hairdresser, Maria Chapman, of High Street, Gargrave, said: "This is very sad. They are a lovely family and he was such a bonny lad."

The Leeds Coroner's office has been informed of Mr Whitelock's death and an inquest will be held at a later date.

Police have appealed for witnesses who saw the Porsche or the Aston Martin before the accident to contact them on (0113) 241 4647.

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