A WOMAN has died in a fireball crash horror on a moorland road.

The middle-aged woman is believed to have been trapped in her car after it careered off the steep road down from Holme Moss into Derbyshire and burst into flames.

The tragedy happened at 8.20pm on Saturday on the A6024 Holme Moss Road at Heyden Moor, south of Holme Moss.

The 52-year-old driver’s black Toyota Corolla had plummeted off the road and was discovered on fire more than 250ft away.

Firefighters from Holmfirth, Meltham and Huddersfield battled to bring the fire under control, but were unable to save the woman.

The road remained closed for most of yesterday as Derbyshire Police investigated why the car left the road and how it came to rest so far away.

It is thought no-one else was in the car.

Derbyshire Police have not named the dead woman while relatives are being told the terrible news and she has been formally identified.

The road is a continuation of Holme Moss Road up to the radio transmitter and leads down to the A628 Woodhead Pass from Sheffield to Manchester through the Peak District National Park.

Woodhead Reservoir is at the junction of Holme Moss Road and Woodhead Pass.

Holme Moss Road claimed the life of a Huddersfield motorcyclist two years ago.

Robert Dyson, 54, lost control of his 750cc Suzuki GSXR near the summit of Holme Moss on the evening of June 12, 2008.

The experienced biker veered across the road, came off the motorcycle and then collided with an oncoming BMW 330 and died from multiple injuries.

He was out riding with three friends who were all on their own bikes when the tragedy happened.

The police investigation showed that when Mr Dyson braked his front wheel locked, causing him to lose control. He was not speeding.

Deputy North Derbyshire Coroner Catherine Mason recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Witnesses who saw the black three-door Toyota Corolla on Holme Moss Road on Saturday evening or it leaving the road should phone Derbyshire Police on 0345 123 3333.