Maria Costello MBE - 'This has been the hardest thing I've ever faced'

Racer gives update after suffering 'life-changing' injuries at TT 2026

TT competitor, Maria Costello MBE, says 'life-changing' injuries sustained at this year's event are 'the hardest thing I've ever faced'.

The sidecar driver along with her passenger, Shaun Parker, were seriously hurt in an incident at Brandish during a qualifying session on Tuesday, 26 May.

Among Maria's injuries, she sustained a level T5/T6 spinal cord injury which will require long-term specialist care.

In an update this afternoon to fans on social media, Costello says she and Shaun remain 'eternally grateful' for people's support:

Also during the update, Maria adds she plans to show followers her rehabilitation journey so far, and is vowing to 'fight to get to what I love.'

Since the crash, a fundraising campaign was set up to help with the financial costs of Costello's treatment - that fundraiser has since reached more than £310,000 in donations.

Elsewhere, Shaun Parker has been providing updates on his own recovery process in recent months, the latest of those coming on 25 August in which he once again thanked people for their ongoing support 'whether it's been financially verbally or virtually.'

A separate fundraising campaign to financially assist Parker with his rehabilitation has seen more than £17,000 generated.