NW200: Female spectator and rider critically injured

Racing at the North West 200 was delayed on Saturday for more than two hours after a female spectator and three riders were involved in an incident in the Superstock race.

The female spectator was airlifted to hospital in Belfast and was described as critical, while two of the riders involved - Stephen Thompson and Horst Saiger - were taken to hospital in Coleraine.

Thompson, from Crumlin in Co Antrim, was later transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast and was said to be in a critical condition.

The third rider involved, Dean Harrison, escaped unhurt.

A statement released by the organisers said: "There has been a serious incident during the opening Superstock race at the 2015 Vauxhall International North West 200.

"A crash, involving three riders, occurred on the section of the course between York Corner and Mill Road Roundabout on the second lap of the race.

"Three riders - Dean Harrison, Stephen Thompson and Horst Saiger - were involved in the incident. Dean Harrison was unhurt.

"Stephen Thompson and Horst Saiger have both been taken to hospital by ambulance after being treated by the race medical team at the scene.

"A female spectator was also injured in the incident and after being treated at the scene has been taken to the Royal Victoria hospital, Belfast by helicopter."

The Superstock race, which had been postponed from Thursday evening's schedule after the organisers ran out of time to run the event following a crash involving Sandor Bitter, has been scrapped.

UPDATE: A further statement was issued by the organisers of the North West 200 on Sunday morning.

The statement said: "North West 200 competitor Stephen Thompson and the female spectator injured in a crash during the Superstock race at the 2015 Vauxhall International North West 200 on Saturday remain in a critical but stable condition in the Royal Victoria hospital, Belfast this morning."