TT sidecar crash 'caused by hare'

The pair remain in hospital after the crash on 10 June

A crash that left TT sidecar duo Nick Crowe and Mark Cox seriously injured may have been caused by a hare, team Honda Racing has revealed.

They were airlifted to hospital after the crash at Ballacob, on the Ballaugh Bridge approach, on 10 June.

Both men are in hospital with serious limb injuries. Crowe, 38, of Jurby, is now in a UK hospital. Cox, 39, of Kent, remains in the Isle of Man.

Their families have thanked Isle of Man hospital staff for their support.

The sidecar race, the second of the 2009 Isle of Man TT, was abandoned following the accident.

'Deepest thanks'

"Both Mark and Nick were ejected from the sidecar following a collision with what is believed to be a hare, sustaining serious injuries," a Honda Racing spokesperson said.

Crowe was transferred to a UK hospital on Friday and faces further surgery.

"Whilst Nick is in a serious condition, the family is encouraged by Nick's awareness when he is awake and would like to express how much everyone's support and well-wishes are helping him," the spokesperson added.

"Mark's fiancee, Amanda, confirms that Mark's condition is stable, although his lower limb injuries are serious and he will require further operations on his left ankle and right hip."

The spokesperson said both families wanted to express their "deepest thanks and appreciation" to hospital staff, emergency services, course marshals and spectators.