A MOTORBIKE pillion passenger who was thrown off in an accident has died of his injuries.

John Hancock, 21, of Fencehouses, near Sunderland, died in Newcastle General Hospital on Saturday.

He suffered serious head and spinal injuries when the Yamaha R6 machine failed to take a bend and hit a stone wall on the A689 at Eastgate, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, last Saturday.

The bike rider, Graeme Eden, 22, of Houghton-le-Spring, was treated for minor injuries.

Accident investigators do not believe any other vehicle was involved. Witnesses are asked to call Durham Police headquarters on 0191-386 4929.