TT 2026: Maria's Road to Recovery

A warning this article contains descriptions of injuries which may be distressing.

Efforts are underway to raise £200,000 for a TT rider who’s been left paralysed following a crash in qualifying.

Sidecar racer Maria Costello MBE, and her passenger Shaun Parker, were involved in what’s been described as a ‘horrific accident’ at Brandish last Tuesday (26 May).

Their machine hit a hare during the second lap of the first sidecar qualifying session leading to it being red flagged.

“We do know the risks. Unfortunately every now and then one of those risks comes up and bites us.”

- Alan Gardner (Manager)

Paralysed

Maria was flown to Noble’s Hospital for assessment before being transferred hours later to The Walton Centre in Liverpool.

She remains on the High Dependency Unit there after suffering life-changing injuries.

Her team, Maria Costello Racing, has confirmed that she is currently paralysed from T5/T6 down after breaking her back.

She also suffered a broken arm, multiple broken ribs, a grade-four large liver laceration, broken nose and eye socket, lacerations between her eyes and a broken sternum.

Passenger Shaun was taken to Noble’s Hospital following the crash; he’d suffered a collapsed lung, blurred vision and broken bones including three ribs and his right foot.

You can find out more HERE.

'Lifelong impact'

Maria, who was awarded an MBE in 2009, was marking 30 years of racing around the Snaefell Mountain Course this year.

Now she’s starting her long road to recovery.

A statement issued by her team Maria Costello Racing said: “One thing that is clear from Maria's injuries is that this will have a lifelong impact on her, not just preventing and affecting a return to sport but impacting Maria's everyday life.

“Maria will need to adapt almost all aspects of her life.

“After a life of giving everything to a sport she loves, she will now turn that determination to recovery and recuperation.

“From the initial determination of her injuries it is already clear that Maria will need to move house or make house alterations, with accessibility adjustments needed wherever she is based.

“She will need an adapted bed, shower, kitchen, stairlift and specialist vehicle for transport.

“Maria will need further surgery over the coming weeks and months and require specialist rehab and physio support.

“Maria is beyond determined to bounce back and apply every ounce of focus to being back as well as possible.

“Maria's recovery is highly expensive and after a career spent raising money from sponsors and backers for racing we now find ourselves asking for support for a very different but all too real problem.

“Whatever you can give will go some way to helping Maria's recovery.

“We hugely appreciate any support and promise to continue to update you all on progress.”

“She’s probably better than you would think at times and worse than you can imagine at times.”

- Alan Gardner (Manager)

Her manager, and OMG Racing boss, Alan Gardner set up the GoFundMe fundraiser to try and secure the money needed.

He’s been speaking to News Editor Tessa Hawley:  

In a statement Isle of Man TT Races said: "We continue to communicate with and support Maria, her family and team at this time.

"The thoughts of everyone at the Isle of Man TT Races are with Maria, her family, friends and team."

Donate

You can find a link to the Maria Costello MBE Road to Recovery fundraiser HERE.

Newscast

You can listen to an extended interview with Alan in this episode of NEWSCAST: