A motorcyclist has died after an horrific accident involving another vehicle on a busy Bradford road.

Witnesses said the rider fell from his bike and slid into the path of an oncoming Land Rover.

The 41-year-old rider apparently lost control of his machine on a left-hand bend in Apperley Lane, Apperley Bridge, during the morning rush hour yesterday.

Witnesses said he fell from his black Yamaha bike and both he and the motorcycle collided with a black Land Rover Discovery travelling uphill in the opposite direction.

A team of medics were alerted and the motorcyclist was treated at the scene of the accident, but he later died in hospital from his injuries.

Emergency services were called to the collision at about 7am. It happened on a bend between The Queen’s Hotel and a Yorkshire Water works.

The road was closed for several hours around the scene of the accident.

West Yorkshire Police last night confirmed the motorcyclist had died from his injuries. Officers are trying to contact relatives of the victim to inform them of his death.

The accident caused traffic chaos throughout the morning rush hour, with Apperley Lane completely closed, along with side roads in all directions to prevent access.

Traffic was diverted before the Stansfield Arms at the Apperley Road/Apperley Lane junction and cars were turned away at the junction with Harrogate Road. Traffic was also diverted at Hemingway Road and Stockhill Road. All roads were re-opened after five hours.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Ambulance Service said they received a 999 call to a collision between a motorcyclist and another vehicle.

The spokesman said a doctor, a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance and an ambulance officer all attended and ambulance staff treated an adult male at the scene before he was transported to hospital.

One witness described how the motorcyclist came round the corner and fell into the road. Motorcycle and rider both collided with the Land Rover.

Robert White, who lives close to the scene of the accident, said: “It was absolute chaos. There were loads of blue lights going up and down.

“There is an accident at least once a year on this road. You don’t tend to get accidents in the rush hour because the vehicles don’t go fast enough.

“Normally, drivers put their foot down and fly, and there are bad bends on this road.”

A woman, who did not wish to be named, said: “It is the second accident I have known in the 16 months I have been here.”

Police want witnesses to contact the Major Collision Enquiry Team on 0845 6060606.