A Crowdfunding campaign to help towards a seriously injured TT rider’s battle for recovery has raised more than £22,100 so far.

Steve Mercer remains in a critical care ward at Aintree Hospital in Liverpool after his machine was involved in a collision with a course car at Ballacrye.

A joint police ACU Events investigation has been launched into the incident which took place after a qualifying session on May 30 was red flagged.

That inquiry is looking into how riders came to proceed wrong way back to the Grandstand without a travelling marshal as escort.

The course car involved in the collision, which was driven by an ACU official with a police sergeant and constable as passengers, was on its way to the accident near Churchtown which claimed the life of Manx TT star Dan Kneen.

Ten riders had been instructed to turn back, one of those in the group has confirmed to iomtoday. That instruction was given by one marshal and supported by a second, he said.

Half the group were stopped by a marshal at the Wildlife Park before the collision at Ballacrye took place 500 yards ahead.

Steve Mercer’s wife Caroline set up a Crowdfunding page at the weekend with the aim of raising £5,000 towards helping his battle for recovery. But it has already raised £22,174.

Caroline posted: ’After a separate red flag incident Steve and the group of riders he was stopped with got instruction to return back to the Paddock.

’As he returned at a reduced speed on the circuit he was hit head-on by a course car at high speed.

’There is an ongoing investigation to how this incident occurred (which we are awaiting the answers). However, this doesn’t change the outcome for Steve.’

She explained that Steve suffered a fracture to his larynx and pelvis, has five centimetre of his femur missing, broken ankle and heel, damage to his back and a brain injury, the extent of which remains unclear.

He had surgery on May 31 for his pelvis which went well and he is due to have surgery on his leg and foot.

Caroline said: ’No one can predict what the future holds for Steve. We just have to give it time. But I for one want to be able to give him everything I can that he needs to aid his recovery or make him more comfortable.’

You can find the Justgiving page at www.justGiving.com/crowdfunding/stevemercerofficial