Maria Costello MBE, a renowned figure in the British road racing community, was left paralyzed from the waist down following a major accident during the sidecar qualifying session of the 2026 Isle of Man TT. According to her team and loved ones, the injuries have had serious consequences that will affect her for the rest of her life.
How did the accident happen?
The accident occurred on the evening of May 26, 2026, during the first sidecar qualifying session of the TT, on the Brandish section of the track. The pair's car struck a rabbit on the second lap of the session, causing a red flag. According to passenger Shaun Parker, the accident happened when a rabbit suddenly entered the track as the pair approached a fast left-hand corner in Brandish.
Costello was initially airlifted by Airmed helicopter to Noble's Hospital, then transferred to Walton Centre in Liverpool for specialized care and is currently in intensive care. According to her team, Maria Costello Racing, Costello is paralyzed from the T5/T6 vertebrae down due to a spinal fracture; she also sustained a broken arm, numerous broken ribs, a large grade four liver laceration, a broken nose and eye socket, cuts between her eyes, and a fractured sternum.
Passenger Shaun Parker was also injured in the crash; he was diagnosed with a collapsed lung, blurred vision, and several fractures, including three broken ribs and his right foot. Parker is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Aintree.
Organization and team statements
The Isle of Man TT organizers, in a statement released immediately after the incident, described Costello's condition as "serious but stable," wishing both Costello and Parker a speedy recovery and thanking the officials and medical team for their intervention. Her team, Maria Costello Racing, stated that the injuries would have lifelong consequences, affecting not only her return to the sport but also her daily life. According to information on the fundraising page launched to cover her treatment costs, while there is a possibility Costello may walk again, she will still bear the effects of the accident.
£200,000 campaign
A GoFundMe campaign titled “Maria Costello MBE – Road to Recovery” has been launched to raise funds for Costello’s long and costly rehabilitation process and adjustments to her daily life; the goal is £200,000 (approximately $269,000).
Who is Costello, and what happened to the sidecar class?
Costello holds the record for the fastest woman in the TT and made history in 2019 by competing in both the lightweight and sidecar races on the same day. Awarded the MBE in 2009 for her contributions to motorsport, Costello was celebrating her 30th year racing on the island this year. Following the accidents involving Costello and Parker, as well as the crashes of sidecar favorites Ryan and Callum Crowe, TT organizers announced on May 28th that they were suspending all sidecar races for the remainder of the 2026 season. The Southern 100 organization has since reassessed the future of sidecar racing.
