DUNGANNON motorcycle rider Ryan Farquhar is now in a 'stable' condition following last week's crash at the North West 200 which left him with serious injuries.
The five times winner was involved in a high-speed crash during the opening Supertwins race of the meeting on Thursday night.
Farquhar (40) sustained injuries to his chest and pelvis during the accident but it was confirmed on Monday that his condition was improving and he had left intensive care.
The Dungannon rider, who resumed road racing in 2014 after retiring in 2012, and Dan Cooper, came off their bikes on the the Black Hill section of the course.
Cooper was taken to the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine with shoulder injuries but was later discharged.
It is welcome good news for the event following the tragic death of 20-year-old English rider Malachi Mitchell-Thomas in a crash on Saturday.
The 20-year-old from Chorley in Lancashire was racing for Cookstown-based team Burrows Engineering Kawasaki when he came off his bike on the third lap of the Supertwins race close to the approach to Black Hill, close to where Ryan Farquhar had previously come off.
Malachi's father Kevin Thomas has said his son's funeral will take place next Tuesday at Charnock Richard Crematorium, Chorley at 4pm.
Mr Thomas said anyone wishing to attend the funeral was welcome to attend including including "fellow bikers, drifters and petrol heads".
"I'm sure he'd welcome the noise and your company," Mr Thomas posted on Facebook.
He asked that in lieu of flowers for donations be made to the Irish Air Ambulance fund.
Following the 20-year-old's death, the fifth now at the event in eight years, there have been calls for a halt to racing on the North Coast due to the safety concerns.
Commentator and journalist Malachi O'Doherty said it was "inevitable" there would be further deaths at the world-famous course given the speeds riders reach.
Speaking on Radio Ulster's Nolan he said: "More people will die, that's a certainty."
With riders travelling on the route at speeds of up to 200mph Mr O'Doherty noted: " A single mistake leads to death".
