A YOUNG father says he is “lucky to be alive” after being hit by a car as he rode his motorbike.

Jamie Clarke, 24, of Southend, was riding his bike along Fairfax Drive, Southend, but as he reached the junction of Victoria Avenue he was hit by a car.

He claims the Ford Ranger ran a red light which led to it hitting him as we went through the junction on a green light.

Mr Clarke said the crash could have left his children without a father.

He said: “I was on Fairfax Drive by the kebab shop and I pulled over to speak to my girlfriend on the phone.

“As we finished our conversation, I put my phone back in my pocket and went to start my bike up again.

“I saw the lights were green so I spun round and went through what was very much still a green light.

“As I’m at the junction riding, I thought it was a white van coming at me because it was high up.

“Next thing you know I’ve blacked out and I’m lying on the ground in the road.

“I was in so much pain.

“Four ambulances and police came and I was taken to hospital in a stretcher.

“I have been told the driver did stop which is good but I’m still pretty annoyed.

“I’ve got a partner, a four-year-old son and another baby on the way.

“I could have been killed.”

He was taken to Southend Hospital by ambulance.

Thankfully, he was not seriously injured in the crash, but knows it could have been a different story.

Mr Clarke has not yet braved going out for another bike ride.

He said: “I’m not sure how I feel about getting back on my bike just yet.

“I’m lucky to be alive.”

Other residents have also spoken of their concern at cars going through red lights at the junction.

One person commented on social media: “That junction is a nightmare.

“I myself have stopped on amber light only to have a black car whizz past right in front of me on a red light.”

A spokesman for Essex Police confirmed officers from the force were investigating the incident.

He said: “We were called shortly before 7.30pm on Monday, October 8 with reports of a collision involving a motorbike and a Ford Ranger in Victoria Avenue, Southend, at the junction with Fairfax Drive.

“The motorcyclist, a 24-year-old man from Southend, was taken to hospital.

“Enquiries are ongoing.”

Anyone with information about the incident can contact Essex Police on 101.

Alternatively you can report information 100 per cent anonymously to crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.