A MOTORCYCLIST was in a critical condition in hospital today after a rush-hour accident involving a four-track vehicle.

The 46-year-old rider, from the Stanley area of County Durham, was on a Suzuki machine which was in a collision with a Nissan X-Trail on St James Boulevard, near the junction with Scotswood Road, on the approach to Redheaugh Bridge, Newcastle.

He was taken to Newcastle General Hospital suffering what police described as, 'life threatening injuries'.

A Northumbria force spokesman said the up-dated condition from the hospital described his condition as 'critical' this morning.

Sections of Redheugh Bridge and the surrounding area were closed after the accident, shortly after 4pm yesterday, to allow for the recovery of the vehicles involved and for police collision investigators to carry out their examination at the scene.

Anyone who was travelling in the area at the time of the accident is asked to ring Northumbria Police's motor patrols unit, on 03456-043043, extension 69191.