Surgery for young off-road biker

A teenager was lucky to escape with his life after suffering stomach injuries following an off-road motorbike accident in Fife, police have aid.

The 13-year-old from Methil was riding the bike at 1600 GMT on Sunday on the bing at Coaltown of Balgonie when he lost control of the vehicle.

He was flung through a hedge and into a barbed-wire fence.

The boy, who was not wearing a helmet, is in Edinburgh's Royal Hospital for Sick Children following surgery.

Fife Constabulary are calling to parents not to allow youngsters to ride bikes without supervision.

The teenager was initially taken to Dunfermline Queen Margaret Hospital.

However, his injuries turned out to be more serious than originally thought and after surgery he was transferred to Edinburgh's Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

No protective equipment

His condition is described as stable with no danger to life.

Ch Insp Alan Turpie of Fife Constabulary, said the teenager was not wearing a helmet or other protective equipment.

He was also believed to be riding a powerful bike with limited experience.

"This youngster is very luck that he was not killed or even more seriously injured.

"A parent would not push their child in front of a speeding vehicle. Yet they allow these youngsters to ride a powerful vehicle like this without taking any of the most basic safety precautions.

"There are organised clubs for this kind of activity and we urge parents and youngsters to make use of them before we have to deal with another tragedy in Fife."