BABY Carl Chalice is fighting for life in an intensive care unit this morning after being born three months premature - only hours after the death of his father.

Karl Chalice snr died after a motorcycle accident on Monday afternoon. Only hours later his distraught girlfriend, Gwen McNally, went into labour.

Yesterday (July 2) the baby was described as being "very poorly" in the neo-natal intensive care unit at Hope Hospital - the hospital where the father he will never know was airlifted to after his accident only to be pronounced dead on arrival.

A spokesman for the hospital said: "The baby has been named Carl after his father, and is listed as critical.

"Gwen and her family are very distraught at the moment, and have asked people to respect their privacy at this difficult time."

The spokesman said that Miss McNally was in good physical health herself.

Miss Gwen McNally was rushed into hospital on Tuesday only hours after learning of her boyfriend's death.

Mr was airlifted to Hope Hospital in the Greater Manchester Police helicopter at 4.50pm shortly after the accident. Police and paramedics raced to the 13 Arches area in Prestwich after the biker's friend alerted the emergency services.

The 26-year-old was riding his Suzuki motorcross motorbike in the Philips Park area when he crashed into a large crater and was thrown from his machine.

Due to the terrain, paramedics requested the force helicopter to assist in an emergency evacuation with Mr Chalice pronounced dead on arrival at hospital from multiple injuries.

Miss McNally, who lived with Mr Chalice in Whitehead Crescent, Brandlesholme, has been joined by close family and friends in keeping vigil at the hospital.

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