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(Image: INSTAGRAM/@STEVE_MERCER)

Mercer, 36, crashed with a safety car on the island on Tuesday night during a qualifying race on the island.

He has a broken ankle, heel, T12 vertebrae, larynx fracture and pelvic and leg injuries, according to his wife Caroline.

She added injuries to his neck mean the Kent rider is unable to breathe for himself without support.

The crash came just moments after fellow rider Dan Kneen, 30, was killed in a collision at the same event.

Caroline said on Facebook: "Just to give you an update Steve had surgery early Thursday morning for pelvic and leg injuries which went as well as the doctors could have hoped at this stage.

(Image: INSTAGRAM/@STEVEMERCER)

"Other injuries include a broken ankle, heel, T12 vertebrae, a fracture to his larynx and damage to his neck which means he’s not currently able to breathe for himself without support.

"They’re keeping him heavily sedated most of the time to make him more comfortable whilst he recovers from his injuries.

"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.

"I’m sorry to everyone I haven’t replied to yet, Steve and the boys are keeping me busy, but I will try to get back to you all over the coming days."

Race organisers ACU Events Ltd said yesterday he was in a critical but stable condition.

Daily Star Online has asked the company for an update on the Maidstone sportsman's condition.

Messages of support have flooded in for the rider on Facebook, with one who said: "Keep strong Steve, you are a warrior, you will pull through this."

Another said: "Keep fighting Steve your family need you buddy."

ACU Events Ltd said yesterday: "Steve Mercer, from Maidstone, Kent, the rider involved in a collision with a course car at Ballacrye during last night’s Superbike qualifying session, is in a critical but stable condition after being transferred from the Isle of Man to Liverpool."