Ryan Farquhar crash: Northern Irish rider stable but 'seriously ill' after North West 200 accident

Farquhar suffered chest and pelvic injuries during the North West 200 Supertwins race in Northern Ireland

Northern Irish rider Ryan Farquhar remains “seriously ill” after being involved in an accident during Thursday’s North West 200 Supertwins race that had to be abandoned, though race organisers have confirmed that his injuries are not life-threatening.

40-year-old Farquhar, who hails from County Tyrone, suffered chest and pelvic injuries and had to be taken by AirMed to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast where he underwent surgery.

Farquhar was hurt after coming off his KMR Kawasaki at Black Hill and being hit by fellow rider Dan Cooper, who himself suffered shoulder injuries but has been discharged from hospital. While Farquhar was described as being “seriously ill”, his injuries are not life-threatening.

A North West 200 statement read: “Ryan Farquhar was airmeded to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast with chest and pelvic injuries. Ryan remains seriously ill in intensive care following surgery.”

An earlier statement added: “Both riders are in a stable condition and neither has life threatening injuries.”

Veteran rider Farquhar retired in 2012 following the death of his uncle, Trevor Ferguson, at the Manx Grand Prix. However, he announced a comeback to road racing in 2014 after having the full backing from his family to resume his career.

In Thursday’s practice session, Castledawson rider Nico Mawhinney suffered a crash at the Mill Road roundabout and was transported by AirMed to Royal Victoria Hospital. A statement from North West 200 confirmed he was in “a stable condition and has been admitted to a ward”.

Cooper was treated at Causeway Hospital in Coleraine for shoulder injuries but was later discharged.

Racing was abandoned for the rest of the day, with the superstock race scheduled for Thursday evening moved to Saturday in a revised programme. The North West 200 is one of the fastest road races in the world, with riders reaching speeds in excess of 200mph on both the superbike and superstock machines.