'My life has changed' Maria Costello gives injury update following Isle of Man TT crash
In an emotional message to her supporters paralysed racer Maria Costello said "this had been the hardest thing I’ve ever faced"
Injured Isle of Man TT racer Maria Costello says she will “fight to get to what I love”, in the wake of a serious incident at this year’s event.
Veteran solo and Sidecar racer Costello and her passenger Shaun Parker suffered a huge crash on the opening day of practice for the Sidecar class at the 2026 TT.
Both suffered multiple serious injuries in the accident, while Costello has been left paralysed due to spinal cord damage.
Currently recovering in a specialist unit in Stoke, she says she will reveal more about her journey to now in the coming weeks, while vowing to “fight” to try and get back to riding.
In a new post on her Facebook page, she said: "My life changed. In a devastating crash in practice for the sidecar TT races on the Isle of Man I suffered a life changing spinal cord injury at level T5/T6.
"This had been the hardest thing I’ve ever faced and I haven’t been in a place where I where I’ve been able to talk to you. That is until now.
"And over the coming weeks, I’m going to show you what’s been happening since the start, including my rehabilitation here at the Stoke Mandeville Spinal Unit.
"I really hope that you will stay with me as I try and piece together my new life because your support has been incredible, I can’t thank you enough and I really think it’s made the difference with getting me to where I am now.
"What will my future look like? What will my new life look like? A lot of it is very unknown. Will I ride a bike again? Will I finish that TT lap? I don’t know.
"But what I do know is that I’m not stopping here and I’m going to fight to get to what I love. I also look forward to thanking all the people who have made the hardest journey I’ve ever faced, that bit easier.
"It was an accident both Shaun and I know we were lucky to survive. Your support and donations have been unbelievable and we are eternally grateful. Shaun is now at home where he continues to recover and heal.
"Once again I want to thank everyone for their love, donations, support and comments and I really do look forward to taking you all on this new journey with me."
Parker's recovery is going well, though he has been left with permanent damage in one of his eyes as a result of the crash.
