Rider tells of blaze drama
Motorbike mad teenager Jordan Smith today told of his amazing escape when his motor bike burst into flames at traffic lights.
The 16-year-old got the shock of his life when the bike caught fire in Colley Gate, Cradley.
He contacted the Express & Star to tell of his close shave after we published a reader's photograph of the blazing bike.
Jordan was riding his Derbi Senda 50cc bike from his home in Lansdowne Road, Halesowen, to the shops and was with pals Grant Shaw and William Sidaway.
He said: "They shouted at me 'your bike's on fire' and when I turned round I could see flames coming out of the petrol tank.
"They were screaming at me to get off the bike and I jumped off but I was in shock as I was still holding on the handlebars.
"Just seconds after I dropped the bike it exploded so you could say I had a lucky escape." A burnt out wreck is all that remains of Jordan's pride and joy which his dad gary and grandfather Terry helped pay for and which cost £1,000.
He added: "I'm gutted because I love my bike, it is such fun to ride and I can't afford another one."
Express & Star reader Kevin Powis captured the picture of the dramatic moment the motorbike caught fire.
It showed the plumes of black smoke and how a bus driver dodged the wreck by driving on the wrong side of the road.
From the picture it was not clear what had happened to the rider and the E&S asked for them to get in touch.
