Bike crash victim loses fight for life; Plea for witnesses who saw pensioner hit by motorcyle.

Byline: By LISA HUTCHINSON

GREAT-grandad James Blacklock has lost his 15 day battle for life after being hit by a motorcycle in Newcastle.

Since the accident, the 86-year-old had clung to life in the high dependency unit in Newcastle General Hospital with his distraught family by his side.

But he died yesterday with his relatives around him.

He was hit by a Yamaha motorbike when he was walking into Newcastle city centre to pick up his pension on June 18 at 10.25am.

Doctors then told his family he was unlikely to pull through.

Last week Mr Blacklock's upset daughter Wendy Armstrong used the Chronicle to appeal for witnesses to the crash, which happened on Diana Street, to contact police.

At the time Wendy, 66, said: "He has a broken shoulder, broken neck and stitches across his neck from ear to ear. He's hanging on but they have told us to expect the worst.

"The only witness the police have is the rider. But someone else must have seen something, it's a very busy street."

Mr Blacklock, of Queens Court, Newcastle, is a father-of-three, grandfather-of-eight, and has 12 great-grandchildren.

Despite his age, he lived by himself and remained fiercely independent.

He had been going to collect his pension and pay his rent when the accident happened.

Wendy, of Cotterdale Gardens, Chapel House, Newcastle, said: "He has lived by himself since my mother died 13 years ago and he wouldn't ask anyone for help.

"He was very, very fit for his age.

"He never got the bus anywhere, he always wanted to walk."

A police spokeswoman, said: "The pedestrian who was struck by a motorcycle at the junction of Diana Street and Pitt Street in Newcastle at 10.25am, on June 18, has died in Newcastle General Hospital with his family in attendance."

Witnesses to the accident can contact police officers at Etal Lane station on 08456 043043 ext 62780.

CAPTION(S):

DAUGHTER: Wendy Armstrong; LOVED TO WALK: James Blacklock, 86