Today's evening practice at the Isle of Man TT has been marred by a serious crash involving Japanese rider Jun Maeda and Irish rider Seamus Greene.
The riders were in collision coming out of the Union Mills section of the course which follows shortly after the start-finish line in Douglas.
After the newcomers had set off on their obligatory lap escorted by moving marshals, the 38-year-old Maeda had been the first of the experienced riders to begin his session and he was quickly followed by Greene.
The practice session, which was scheduled to run for one hour and 40 minutes, was immediately halted following the incident.
A TT spokesman said: "There was a two-bike incident coming out of Union Mills on the way to Glen Vine section.
"The riders involved were Jun Maeda and Seamus Greene, who were in collision, and both have been taken to hospital by helicopter.
"The road will be swept of debris, fuel and so on prior to the solo practice session restarting at 7.45pm. That session will run for one lap.
"Then the sidecars newcomers will be given their escorted lap prior to the opening of full sidecar practice."
The spokesman was unable to give any details of either rider's condition.
