A motorcyclist has died and his pillion passenger has sustained life-changing injuries following a collision on the A167 near Ferryhill, County Durham, in the early hours of Wednesday.
The incident occurred just after 1am, when a Yamaha 600cc motorbike crashed. The rider, a 38-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. The pillion passenger, a woman in her twenties, was rushed to the University Hospital of North Durham with life-changing injuries.
Investigation launched
Durham Constabulary was called to the scene at 1.05am. The road was closed while emergency services worked, but has since reopened. The bike is believed to have been travelling northbound from Chilton to Ferryhill.
A force spokesperson said: "Officers were called at 1.05am today (August 5) following a one-vehicle collision on the A167 near Ferryhill. The incident involved a Yamaha 600cc motorbike which was being ridden by the rider and a pillion passenger.
"Sadly, the rider, a 38-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. The pillion passenger, a woman in her twenties, sustained life-changing injuries and was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham for treatment."
Appeal for witnesses
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident has been launched. Officers are appealing for any witnesses, or anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage of the bike prior to the collision, to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to email the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at SCIU@durham.police.uk, quoting incident number 12 of August 5.
