An initial statement by race 🔜organiser🏅s read: “Rea received initial treatment at the track before being transported to hospital by helicopter.

“An update o✨n the ri🍬der’s condition will follow when more information becomes available.”

The FCC TSR Honda rider was involved i꧅n an accident during Free Practice 2 after crashing at the Triangle Chicane. It is known he was unconscious when airlifted to hospital, while subsequent multiple reports say he has head, chest and lung injuries.

The Kyodo News Agency r𝓀eports Rea's Honda 'slammed into the wall' during the accident, adding 'spectators and race staff were not injured'.

Occurring just prior to the Top 10 Tria🐲l Shootout to decide pole position, which Rea would have contested along𓃲side team-mates Josh Hook and Mike di Meglio.

"This is the first 🍬time I have mixed feelings after the Suzuka 8 Hours qualifyi𝔍ng is over," FCC TSR France manager Masakazu Fujii said later.

"We had to battle on after Gino had a big crash during free practice before Qualifying, was air-lifted to the hospital, and we had no way of knowing how he was. We’re praying for him, and will ๊do anything we can. Considering the circumstances, the team did a great job, and Josh getting us fourth on the grid was an amazing effort.

"I would like to let Gino know as well. We’ll do our best ﷽[in t🍌he race]."

Rea's crash came at the same part of the Suzuka Circuit where Dajiro Kato was killed during the 2003 🅷Japanese MotoGP round. The accident led꧅ to Suzuka being dropped from the MotoGP schedule citing concerns over safety.