POLICE are appealing for vital witnesses to come forward after a death crash which also left a teenage girl badly hurt.

The girl, a pillion passenger on a motorcycle, was badly hurt in a crash on Sunday which claimed the life of 42-year-old biker Paul Andrew Davies.

Mr Davies, of Ashbrow Road, Sheepridge, died instantly when his Honda Fireblade was in collision with a Ford Fiesta in Alder Street, Fartown.

His 19-year-old female pillion passenger, a family friend, has now been transferred to Leeds General Infirmary and was said to be seriously ill but stable this morning.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the tragedy which happened at the junction of Alder Street and Flint Street at 4pm on Sunday.

Sgt Paul Denton of Huddersfield traffic police said: “In the immediate aftermath of the collision a car turned right out of Flint Street and went down Alder Street towards Hillhouse.

“Also a pedestrian was seen standing at the entrance to Able Fuels next to the collision scene.

“It is important that the people in the car and the pedestrian come forward as they may have important information which could help the investigation.’’

He added: “We do have CCTV footage.”

A neighbour of Mr Davies, 47-year-old Susan Hampshire, said: “It’s tragic what has happened and my heart goes out to them.

“I don’t know the family that well, but I have seen them around and they seemed really pleasant. The man always seemed to be working on his bike.”

The witnesses and anyone with information should contact Huddersfield traffic police on 01484 436847.

l A van driver was taken to hospital following a three-van pile up on the M62.

The driver of a white van was in collision with two others on the motorway at lunchtime yesterday.

A passenger was trapped inside the van while firefighters battled to remove its roof to release him.

The male was complaining of neck and spinal injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.

The drivers of the other two vans were not injured in the collision.

Firefighters from Huddersfield, Elland and Greater Manchester were called out to the incident at 12pm.

They were in attendance for up to an hour and the motorway was closed for 30 minutes while they cut the passenger free and cleared the scene.