A Kent superbike star is still in a critical condition four days after being involved in a crash with a safety car during a race.

Steve Mercer, 36, from Maidstone, was involved in the collision during a qualifying race for the Isle of Man TT on Wednesday, on an evening where fellow rider Dan Kneen was tragically killed in a separate incident.

He was flown by air ambulance to Nobles Hospital on the island before subsequently being moved to Liverpool, having suffered a series of injuries to his pelvis, leg, ankle, heel, back, neck and voice box.

The rider had surgery on Thursday morning which "went as well as the doctors could have hoped at this stage", according to his wife, Caroline.

She added: "Steve is still in critical care and will be for a while yet. He’s still unable to fully breathe for himself however they are hopeful he may be able to try soon."

Race organisers have since launched an investigation into how the crash happened, while safety rules have also been changed to ensure races stop entirely whenever there is an incident on the course.

Since the crash, the sport has united to send wishes of recovery to the Kent star, who has recorded 16 top-20 finishes at the TT and has lapped the course at some 129mph.

A spokesperson for his team, Jackson Racing, said: "Our thoughts are with Steve, Caroline, Daniel, Alex and family."

Mrs Mercer added in a Facebook post: "Thank you so much to everyone who has helped us to get over to him so quickly and for the hundreds of messages of support we have received.

"I have been reading some of your messages out to him to let him know everyone is rooting for him to get better."