A teenage motorcycle racer seriously injured in a crash at Brands Hatch has been brought out of his coma.

Jordy de Jonge, 17, from The Netherlands, was flown to hospital suffering from severe head injuries following a horrific accident last month during the first lap of a race.

Mark Fisher, Mr de Jonge’s team manager, has confirmed he has been taken off a ventilator and is breathing for himself after spending the last three weeks in an induced coma.

He said that he has also recognised his parents for the first time, who have been by his side at the Royal Hospital London for the past two weeks.

A second motorcyclist seriously hurt in the crash, James Puttrell, 25, from Hitchen, is also showing signs of recovery after suffering serious head, chest and limb injuries.

Mr Puttrell is currently receiving treatment at St George’s Hospital in Tooting.

In honour of the two racers, British Superbike riders wore Mr de Jonge and Mr Puttrell’s numbers, 72 and 57 respectively, on their bikes during races at Oulton Park, Cheshire at the weekend.