A serious accident marred an otherwise successful National Road Race Championships on Sunday when the three lead women in Category Three were involved in a crash on their second lap.

Sue Edney, Kim McMullen and her sister, Dianna Thompson (married to Bermuda national team mountain biker Garth Thompson) came to grief on one of the corners of the course which resulted in the EMS and ambulance being called to the scene.

After about 20 minutes lying in the roadway receiving treatment, Edney was stretchered away and taken to hospital. McMullen also received hospital treatment.

Both were badly bruised with Edney also reportedly undergoing surgery for severe injuries to her thumb.

Garth Thompson, a main contender in the men's race, decided to withdraw after riding past the crash out of concern for his wife and sister.