Woman is critically injured in North West 200 race crash

A woman is in a critical condition after being hit in a crash at the North West 200 motorcycle event.

The crash happened on the section of the course between York Corner and Mill Road Roundabout during the opening Superstock race on Saturday.

In a statement, organisers confirmed that riders Dean Harrison, Stephen Thompson and Horst Saiger were involved in the accident. The third rider involved, Dean Harrison, escaped unhurt.

The statement reads: "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."

Mervyn Whyte, NW200 race director, said the two riders, Thompson and Saiger, were conscious when they were transferred to hospital in Coleraine. Thompson has now been transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he is being treated for his injuries, while Saiger is believed to have only minor injuries and remains in Coleraine.

The Superstock race 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.