Sidecar duo taken to hospital after TT incident

Image source, IOM TT

• Published26 May 2026, 20:56 BST

A sidecar driver and her passenger have been transported to hospital following an incident during Tuesday's first qualifying session for the Isle of Man TT.

Maria Costello and Shaun Parker came off at the Brandish section of the course, approximately two miles from the end of the 37.7-mile (60km) Mountain Course public roads circuit on which the event is held.

The pair were on their second lap of the session, which was brought to a halt when red flags were displayed.

An update from race organisers said that Costello's condition is reported to be "conscious and talking, with reported head injuries".

She was taken to Noble's Hospital on the island by Airmed helicopter for further assessment.

Parker is also reported as "conscious and talking", with "reported leg and arm injuries".

He was taken to hospital by ambulance for further assessment.

The opening practice session of the 2026 event on Monday was red flagged following a crash on the northern section of the circuit, leading to the abandonment of the remainder of the day's schedule.

Two spectators have been subsequently flown to the UK for specialist medical care after a competitor crashed into the crowd.

Event organisers said six other spectators and the motorbike racer had been discharged from hospital.

Harrison sets fastest solo speed

Image source, Pacemaker

Earlier in the evening, Dean Harrison set the fastest time in the solo session.

The Honda Racing rider topped the Superbike leaderboard with a speed of 133.925mph, a time of 16 minutes 54.206 seconds.

The five-time TT winner had earlier posted a lap of 133.222 from a standing start on his opening lap before shaving more than five seconds off his lap time on his second circuit.

The Yorkshireman, now based on the Isle of Man, was a double winner in the Superstock class last year, his first race victories since 2019.

Michael Dunlop was second quickest in the Superbike class on his Hawk Racing Honda at 130.341, almost 28 seconds slower than his rival.

Manx rider Nathan Harrison, Ian Hutchinson, David Johnson and John McGuinness completed the top-six leaderboard.

Australian Josh Brookes led the Superstock qualifying leaderboard thanks to a lap of 130.197 on his DAO Racing Honda, with 14-time winner Peter Hickman second behind the double British Superbike champion with 129.42, followed by Jamie Coward at 128.702.

Dunlop was best of the Supersports on 126.922 on his V2 Ducati, the Northern Ireland rider making a strong start in his bid to extend his run of eight consecutive race wins in the class.

Brookes was second at 124.271 on a Suzuki, then Hickman on his Triumph on 123.584.

Paul Jordan topped the Sportbike speeds thanks to a lap of 120.208 on an Aprilia, with Coward (119.199) and Browne (119.097) second and third respectively.

Tuesday qualifying leaderboard

Superbike - 1 Dean Harrison (Honda) 133.925mph; 2 Michael Dunlop (Honda) 130.341; 3 Nathan Harrison (Honda) 130.01; 4 Ian Hutchinson (BMW) 128,903; 5 David Johnson (Kawasaki) 128.275; 6 John McGuinness (Honda) 128.121

Superstock - 1 Josh Brookes (Honda) 130.197; 2 Peter Hickman (BMW) 129.42; 3 Jamie Coward (Honda) 128.702; 4 Dominic Herbertson (BMW) 128.569; 5 Dean Harrison (Honda) 128.237; 6 Mike Browne (Honda) 127.805

Supersport - 1 Michael Dunlop (Ducati) 126.922; 2 Josh Brookes (Suzuki) 124.271; 3 Peter Hickman (Triumph) 123.584; 4 Ian Hutchinson (Ducati) 123.538; 5 Paul Jordan (Ducati) 123.455; 6 Mike Browne (Yamaha) 123.182

Sportbike - 1 Paul Jordan (Aprilia) 120.208; 2 Jamie Coward (Paton) 119.199; 3 Mike Browne (Paton) 119.097; 4 Michael Evans (Aprilia) 119.001; 5 Andrea Majola (Paton) 118.018; 6 Michal Dokoupil (Aprilia) 117.643

Related topics

• Northern Ireland Sport
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