(Image: Provided)
People have rushed to support the family of an "incredible" teenage boy who died in an electric bike crash this week.
McKenzie Ratcliffe, 18, sadly died following a crash involving an electric motorbike on Waterville Road in the Meadow Well area of North Shields, at around 5.25pm on Wednesday, August 19.
The young North Shields man, described as a "beautiful boy", was pronounced dead a short time later, despite the efforts of paramedics.
Northumbria Police said that for reasons yet to be established, the motorbike he was riding collided head-on with a green Mercedes Sprinter van.
The driver of the van, a man in his 60s, remained at the scene and is assisting officers with their enquiries.
Linsey Rutherford has set up a fundraiser to help McKenzie's family with funeral costs.
More than £4,400 has already been raised to support the family.
Linsey said: "An incredible 18-year-old life was taken far too soon in a devastating motorbike accident.
"No family should ever have to face the heartbreak of losing their child at just 18 years old.
"This has left everyone who knew and loved him completely heartbroken and struggling to come to terms with what has happened."
She added: "We have set up this GoFundMe to support his family through the incredibly difficult days ahead and to help with funeral costs and any other expenses they may now face at a time when they should be grieving their beautiful boy.
"Every donation, no matter how big or small, would mean so much to his family.
"Fly high, McKenzie. Taken far too soon, but you will never be forgotten."
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After seeing the support so far, Linsey added: "Thank you so much to all that has donated so far.
"Let's give him the send-off he deserves."
Anyone with information or dashcam footage of the incident is asked to contact Northumbria Police via direct message on social media, the live chat function or the report form on the force’s website.
Those unable to make contact online can call 101 and quote reference number NP-20260819-0748.