Milton Thom was a spectator at the Skerries 100 motorcycle race in north Co Dublin on Saturday when two motorbikes crashed and engulfed him in flames.

The 70-year-old grandfather, who owns the popular Royal Hotel in Cookstown, was initially taken to nearby Beaumont hospital before being transferred to a specialist burns unit at St James Hospital in Dublin. It is understood he will require skin grafts.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph last night, his grand-daughter Tanya Thom revealed he is in a critical but stable condition in hospital. She said: " His throat is very badly burned and he is on a ventilator. We are all hoping for the best but its a case now of waiting to see what happens."

Also speaking about the horrific incident was close family friend and clerk of course for Saturday's Skerries 100 race, Francis Everard. He described the frightening moments leading up to the crash, which happened close to his house.

"Two bikes crashed, but the problem was that racer Gary Johnson clipped a bank on the inside of the course and his bike went out of control," said Mr Everard.

"He then hit a stone pillar at a wall at our house and the bike caught fire. The petrol tank may have exploded. Milton was doused in fuel ending up very badly burned."

He added: "Milton was watching the race in my garden, like he always does. It all happened so fast; it was over in a matter of minutes. We are all still in shock.

"All the thoughts and prayers of everyone at the Loughshinny motorcycle club are with Milton and his family."

Mr Thom's family, including his wife Meta, have been maintaining a vigil at his bedside in Dublin ever since he was hospitalised following the terrifying accident.

Mr Everard, who is also clerk of course for the Cookstown 100 race, added: " It was a very serious accident. Milton is in a critical condition. He is currently unconscious."

UUP councillor and chairman of Cookstown's town centre forum, Trevor Wilson, said that Mr Thom has been heavily involved in the local motorcycling scene for a number of years.

The local businessman is also a long-time sponsor of the Cookstown 100 races, in conjunction with Cookstown Council.

Mr Thom's granddaughter Samantha, who cut her racing teeth on karts, last year moved up to the junior section of the British Rallycross championship.

"Milton is a well-respected businessman within the town," added Mr Wilson. "He has been heavily involved in motorsport all his life.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family at what must be a terribly traumatic time for them."

The crash happened on the second lap of the grand final shortly before 5pm on Saturday.

One biker suffered a broken collar bone in the smash, while the other escaped with minor injuries.

Local DUP councillor Ian McCrea, who said he knows the family, expressed his shock at the latest incident to hit the road racing fraternity.

Saturday's accident comes just three weeks after a young man, who was also from Co Tyrone, was killed at the Donegal International Rally.

Richard O'Donnell, known locally as Richard McGrath, died after being hit by a competing car at Ballyarr outside Letterkenny on June 14. There have been calls for rallying to be banned following several deaths associated with the sport in recent years.