A TEENAGER suffered serious injuries when he lost control of a suspected stolen motorbike and crashed into metal railings.

The 17-year-old was riding along Idlethorp Way, Thorpe Edge, Bradford, when the silver Honda motorbike left the road, crossed a grassed area and collided with railings next to Rosedale Road.

The teenager was placed under arrest and bailed at the scene, before being taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary. He was later transferred to Leeds General Infirmary.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said the incident involved just one vehicle, the silver Honda. Police checks have established that the motorbike was thought to be stolen.

Residents have described hearing a powerful motorcycle travelling up and down Idlethorp Way in the minutes leading up to the crash, which happened just before midnight on Monday.

One woman said she saw a motorcycle rider performing 'wheelies' shortly before the accident, although it could not be confirmed this was the 17-year-old rider.

"I watched a biker going up and down the road doing wheelies. It went on for quite a while, about 15 or 20 minutes," said the resident.

"I thought it was an idiotic thing to do because it was raining. I heard people shouting at him, as if they were egging him on."

The resident then heard a loud scraping noise and realised someone had crashed.

She said a large number of emergency vehicles arrived, including a fire engine, several police cars and an ambulance.

"I hope he survives the accident and I hope he learns his lesson," said the resident, who asked to remain anonymous.

Another resident said the crash had left debris from the motorbike scattered across the grassed area and Rosedale Road.

"He must have being going at some speed. The debris was scattered all over," she said.

She said a group of youths returned to the scene at around 5am, possibly to look for a mobile phone.

"I heard someone say 'ring his phone' and that he usually kept his phone in his helmet," she added.

The resident said she hoped the teenager pulled through.

"It's really sad. I hope he's alright but they need to stop tearing up and down here. We hear them all the time. The police helicopter is always here.

"I feel really sorry for him and his family. It's tragic really. It is dangerous for these boys to be riding around on powerful bikes," she said.

She said a large number of young people had visited the crash site since the accident.