A MOTORCYCLIST who “should have been dead” after his bike crashed and burst into flames has spoken publicly for the first time to thank the passersby who saved his life.

Dick Allaker, a welder from Pittington, in County Durham, was thrown off his bike after it collided with a car at Thinford, near Spennymoor, in August.

The 52-year-old, who is still in hospital as a result of the crash, was dragged away from the burning wreckage by paramedics and passersby Adam Tomlinson and Peter Senior.

The Northern Echo: Fire engulfs the car and bike at Thinford in August. Photo: Natalie Whitfield

He said: “I’m over the moon for what everyone did. Genuinely, I should have been dead.

“Adam was first on the scene, comforting us while the fire was blazing on behind. Everyone was screaming and shouting and saying it was going to explode.

“Everyone was saying ‘get away, get away’ but he stayed to comfort me and do first aid even though his back was getting burned. He was very brave. He's only 19.

“Everyone pulled together that day – I’m very lucky. I could very well have been dead. They told me if it happened five years ago I would probably be dead and ten years ago I would definitely be dead. I’d like to thank everyone – Adam, Peter, the paramedics.”

Mr Allaker found out the identity of Mr Tomlinson after discovering his mother works as a scrub nurse in the University of North Durham Hospital, where he is currently a patient.

Peter Senior, a traffic officer from Burnopfield, was given a bravery award last week for his role in the rescue. He managed to get the driver of the car – a 40-year-old woman from Thornley - to safety before helping to pull Mr Allaker away from the flames.

Following the crash Mr Allaker, who has been riding bikes since he was 17, was airlifted to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough with a broken back, two broken legs, a shattered pelvis, a broken arm and internal injuries including damaged kidneys, a torn aorta and bruising.

His injuries were so severe he was placed in an induced coma for two and a half weeks before moving to intensive care. He was transferred to North Durham about two months ago and hopes to be home in time for Christmas.

He added: “I’m into double figures with the amount of operations I’ve had. I’m just starting to get upright because of the ligament damage in my back and right leg. I still can’t move my right leg but I’m hoping to get movement back.

“It’s been a long hard journey. It’s been a massive change but I’m hoping everything is going to go right and I’ll be taking the dogs for a walk sometime after Christmas.”