Biker dies in tractor fire crash

A motorcyclist has been killed in a collision with a tractor and trailer in north Lincolnshire.

The incident happened on Wednesday evening on Kirton Road in the village of Blyton near Gainsborough.

The trailer, which is believed to have been carrying bales of straw, caught fire. The road was closed until the early hours of Thursday.

Neil Petford, 37, from nearby Northorpe died at the scene. The 54-year-old tractor driver was unhurt.

Police said this collision brings the number of people killed on the roads of the county this year to 24 - compared to 41 over the same period in 2007.

So far this year nine motorcyclists have lost their lives.