Steve Mercer, 36, from Maidstone, Kent, the rider involved in a collision with a course car at Ballacrye during Wednesday’s Superbike qualifying session, is in a critical but stable condition after being transferred from the Isle of Man to Liverpool.

Steve Mercer from Kent was travelling backwards on the course towards the TT grandstand after an earlier incident in which Manx racer Dan Kneen died.

Mr Mercer’s wife Caroline said on Facebook that her husband has sustained “serious injuries” following an accident on his way back to the grandstand.

Since making his debut in 2009, the 36-year-old from Maidstone has recorded 16 top-20 finishes at the TT and has lapped the course at more than 129mph.

Wednesday’s TT practice session was abandoned following the incident.


Picture: Philip Magowan / PressEye