A motorway pile-up which killed six people is being investigated by police.

Three people died when a car overturned on the A1 in North Yorkshire and a further three motorists were killed as they stopped to go to the aid of the stricken car.

The tragedy happened at the southbound junction 48 of the A1 between Dishforth and Boroughbridge, on Saturday evening.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "It appears the saloon car hit a central reservation, the reason as yet unknown, and overturned.

"The scenario seems to be that a large van stopped just north of it to protect the overturned car and its driver got out to help.

"A 4X4 vehicle also stopped and a couple went to help.

"An articulated lorry went into the back of the large van knocking it on to the overturned car.

Wreckage

Three adult passengers in the car, all thought to be from Leeds, were killed, as was the driver of the van who had got out to help. He was believed to be from Cheshire.

The couple from the 4X4, who were said to be from Thirsk, North Yorks, also died in the smash.

The driver of the saloon, also thought to be from Leeds, was seriously injured and was taken to Harrogate General Hospital.

And the Sainsbury's driver, named as Brian France, 54, from Barnsley, was also taken to the hospital with injuries.

Police were hoping to reopen two lanes of the A1 on Sunday once the wreckage had been removed.