Car driver sought after biker injured

POLICE are hunting a driver who failed to stop after a crash which left a teenage motorcyclist hospitalised.

Officers investigating the incident in South Shields on Wednesday, have issued a “urgent appeal” for witnesses to the crash.

Shortly after 12.30pm they received a report that an off-road motorbike had collided with a Peugeot 206 on Benton Road.

Emergency services were called and the 16-year-old rider of the motorbike was taken to hospital, suffering from a serious leg injury.

Sgt Craig Bartle, of Northumbria Police’s Motor Patrols department, said: “The vehicle involved did not stop and had left the scene before we arrived. This vehicle has since been located and recovered by police but we are now carrying out a range of enquiries to identify the driver and would ask that person – or anybody who knows them – to come forward.

“A number of drivers were in the area at the time so we would also ask you to check any dashcam footage and let us know if you see any cars displaying tell-tale damage. We are especially keen to trace the driver of a black car that was seen on Benton Road at the time of the collision and may hold key information.

“We will continue to use every tactic at our disposal in order to protect all our road users.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of their website or by calling 101 quoting log 450 140421.

Alternatively, contact charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.