TT sidecar driver transferred to UK after crash

A sidecar competitor injured in a crash during qualifying at the Isle of Man TT races has been transferred to the UK for treatment.

Organisers said Maria Costello was in a "serious but stable" condition following in the incident at Brandish on Tuesday evening, in which her passenger Shaun Parker was also hurt.

The 52-year-old was initially taken to Noble's Hospital on the Isle of Man by Airmed "with reported head injuries" for assessment and treatment before being transferred to Aintree Hospital in Liverpool.

Parker is being treated at the island's main hospital for chest, leg, arm and facial injuries, with his condition reported as "conscious and talking".

A regular competitor in both the solo and sidecar classes at the Isle of Man TT, Costello from Northamptonshire was marking the 30th anniversary of her debut on the island's Mountain Course when she competed in the Manx Grand Prix.

Tuesday's crash happened about two miles from the start-finish line on the 37.7-mile (60km) circuit on the closing lap of the evening's qualifying session shortly before 21:00 BST.

It led to the second red flag of the 2026 event following an incident during Monday's opening practice session which saw a solo motorcycle competitor crash into a group of spectators, injuring eight.

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