Teenager killed in collision between ebike and van in North Shields
Officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a teenager died following a collision in North Shields.
Officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a teenager died following a collision in North Shields.
At 5.25pm yesterday, police received a report of a collision on Waterville Road in the Meadow Well area.
It was reported that an electric motorcycle had, for reasons yet to be established, collided head on with a green Mercedes Sprinter van.
The rider of the motorcycle – who can be named as 18-year-old McKenzie Ratcliffe, of North Shields – was found to have sustained serious injuries in the incident.
Emergency services attended the scene and despite the efforts of paramedics, he was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.
His family are aware of his death and are being supported by officers from Northumbria Police.
The driver of the van – a man in his 60s – remained at the scene to assist officers with their enquiries.
Sergeant Craig Bartle, of the Force’s Roads Policing Unit (RPU), said: “Our thoughts are firmly with McKenzie’s family and friends and we will offer them all of the support we can at this devastating time.
“We are carrying out a full investigation into the circumstances of the collision and have already undertaken several enquiries.
“I would ask anyone with information which could assist us to get in touch.
“We are particularly keen to hear from those with dash cam footage of the moments leading up to the collision between the bike and the van.”