Hotelier Tom Bannister killed in Dales crash

Tom Bannister, 48, of Bell Busk near Skipton, was was managing director of the Coniston Hotel and the son of the hotel’s owners Michael and Ethney Bannister, also the founders of Boundary Mill stores in Colne.

Mr Bannister was a passenger in the Range Rover being driven by a 41-year-old local woman who has been arrested in connection with the collision and has been released on bail while the investigation continues.

The collision was reported at around 2.35am on Saturday, after a dark coloured Range Rover travelling south towards the A65, left the road at Carseylands Hill between Airton and Bell Busk.

The vehicle came to rest in a nearby field. Police and paramedics attended the collision, but Mr Bsnnister was pronounced dead at the scene.

The road was closed while collision investigators examined the scene and was reopened at 8am on Saturday morning.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or can assist the investigation is asked to call North Yorkshire Police on 101.