A couple who were badly injured in an horrific crash as spectators at the 2013 TT will have their personal injuries claim heard in court next year.

Shaun and Helen Williams, of Gloucestershire, are both claiming damages against Auto Cycle Union Ltd.

They were among a crowd of spectators watching the Senior race from the bottom of Bray Hill when a rider crashed, sending debris flying.

Ten people were taken to hospital, a number of them with limb injuries.

Company director Mr Williams, 57, suffered severe lower limb injuries and is seeking damages of between £150,000 and £200,000 for medical treatment, psychological trauma and loss of earnings.

Mrs Willams suffered minor lower limb injuries. She is claiming up to £100,000 for psychological trauma and loss of earnings.

In their claim forms submitted on May 20, 2016, Mr and Mrs Williams say they are seeking damages for personal injuries suffered and losses and expenses incurred ‘as a consequence of the negligence and/or breach of duty of the defendant in the organisation, management and performance of the Isle of Man TT race’.

The court heard that the ACU has admitted liability in relation to Mr and Mrs Williams’ claims for damages.

At a directions hearing in the civil court last week, Deputy High Bailiff Chris Arrowsmith said: ’These proceedings have not been swift moving.

’They relate to an accident which occurred in June 2013 during the TT. These two claims were not issued until May 2016.’

Clerk of the TT course Gary Thompson confirmed: ’Shaun and Helen Williams were two of the spectators injured in the Bray Hill incident in 2013.’

Advocate Vicki Unsworth, representing ACU Ltd, said while liability is admitted there are issues as to causation.

She said: ’Ultimately, liability has been admitted. Ultimately the defendant will pay the bulk of the costs.’

Mr and Mrs Williams submitted a schedule of damages in August 2016. It includes a ’significant’ claim for future losses, the court heard.

A stay order putting procedures on hold until further order of the court was granted in April last year.

But in January this year, the claimants’ advocate, Winston Taylor, applied for judgment in default.

Mr Taylor said there had been a moratorium in place and his clients had given notice to seek to lift the stay order.

The Deputy High Bailiff dismissed the application for judgment in default, ruling it to be ’premature and unnecessary’.

He agreed with Ms Unsworth that the application should not have been brought as the stay order could only be lifted by a further court order.

Mr Arrowsmith ordered costs against the claimants totalling £620 plus VAT.

The directions hearing set out when various documents, including medical records, expert reports, company returns and both sides’ skeleton arguments, should be submitted.

No date was set for the trial itself, which is due to take place in the civil court some time next year.

Barnsley rider Jonathan Howarth sustained a minor fracture when he crashed on the fast downhill section of Bray Hill on the opening lap of the 2013 Senior race just after 1pm.

Soon after the crash, spectators told how they watched the drama unfold.

Mark Sims, 40, a town planner from Cleveleys, Lancashire, was watching the race sitting in the scaffolding set up for spectators with his fiancee, Joanne Porter, 44, and eight-year-old son Hugo.

Mark said: ’We got there around 7.30am to get a good spot. I had my camera on, but not poised to take any shots. We saw the bike coming down the road and you could tell he was out of control.

’We were just hoping he would slide off into a field further up before he reached the crowds. When we realised he was coming straight for us people began shouting and screaming.

’I just grabbed Hugo and shielded him as we tried to get away.

’There was debris flying everywhere and it was just chaos

’The radiator landed on my lower leg but luckily I only had minor grazes and slight burns so I didn’t have to go to hospital.

’There were people on three picnic benches and they had what looked like lower leg injuries.’

The race restarted at 4.30pm and was won by John McGuinness at record speed.