Lee Johnston has dedicated the first public words since his accident on the 2023 North West 200 to his wife, family, friends and medical professionals who set him on the road to recovery.

The 34-year old suffered a series of injuries - including a broken femur, shoulder and ribs, as well as a collapsed lung and injuries to his foot and face - after falling during practice for the Supersport race at The Triangle on 11 May.

Arriving at Belfast Hospital in a critical conditions, Johnston spent three days on a ventilator and underwent ten hours in surgery, but is now beginning his recovery.

Writing on Instagram, Johnston took the time to express his sincere gratitude to the medical staff who have cared for him at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, as well as the Air Ambulance who transferred him from the crash site.

"Feeling a long way from this point right now but now that I am actually able to text I wanted to write a post to Thank everyone that has got my ass to this point and saved my life.

"Firstly to the medical staff at the track and the @airambulance_ni for what they did before getting me to the hospital to all the surgeons that spent 10 hours on me once I arrived, all the nurses in the royal for there unbelievable care and most of all my family/team for what they have done and continue to do for me this is going to be a long road and without them I would be lost both mentally and physically. also thanks for all the kind messages from friends and fans it means so much."

As well as being ruled out of the upcoming Isle of Man TT, the injuries will scupper Johnston's title hopes in the British Supersport Championship that he was leading at the time of his accident.