Gerona victims wait for ruling

The plane broke into three pieces during the crash

A judge hearing a claim for compensation from more than 70 passengers who claim they were psychologically damaged after their plane crash-landed in Spain has reserved his judgement on the case.

The Britannia Airways Boeing 757 was carrying 236 passengers from Cardiff when it was forced to land in a field in a heavy thunderstorm, in Gerona, in September 1999.

After one aborted landing attempt, the plane hit the ground twice, then veered off the runway at Gerona, breaking into three pieces.

There was also a 20-minute delay before rescuers reached the passengers.

Passengers were treated at Gerona Airport

In May, a judge in Cardiff ruled that the passengers had the right to sue holiday firm Thomson holidays for psychological damage.

The court hearing in Cardiff County Court was to decided whether the passengers need to prove that the crash was the fault of Thomson Holidays or Britannia Airways.

No date has yet been set for the judge to deliver his verdict.

Flashbacks

Following the accident, several passengers received compensation for physical injuries suffered.

But the group of 70 passengers successfully argued in court that they should be able to pursue a claim for compensation for psychological injuries resulting from the crash.

They claim they are still suffering nightmares and flashbacks.

UK accident investigators published a report into the crash in 2000.

But in the four years since the accident, the Spanish authorities are yet to publish their own report.

The British air investigation branch has already travelled to Spain to try and find out what is delaying a full report into the accident.