A county-wide appeal has been launched following the death of a motorcyclist on the A1(M).

Hertfordshire Constabulary are appealing for witnesses after a man in his 20s lost control of his red Honda motorbike on the northboound carriageway of the motorway just before the Hatfield Tunnel at about 7pm on Friday.

The motorcylist, who suffered serious injuries after coming off his bike, was taken to Lister Hospital in Stevenage where he died.

The reasons for the loss of control are not yet clear, however police currently believe the motorbike did not make contact with any other vehicles.

Officers believe that a number of vehicles were also involved in a separate minor crash as drivers took action to avoid the initial collision. No one else is thought to have been hurt.

The A1(M) was closed northbound between junction 3-4 for around five hours while police investigated.

Road Policing Sergeant Peter Scholes, who is investigating the incident, said: “I am keen to trace the driver of a dark-coloured vehicle that was travelling a short distance from the motorbike when the incident occurred.

“I’d also like to speak to anyone else who saw the motorbike before the collision when it was travelling either on the A1(M) or the A414 from St Albans. These people might have information that is vital to establishing what happened in the moments leading up to the collision.” Anyone with information is asked to call the police non-emergency number 101.