10 Brits dead in Thai crash horror
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Survivors last night told of their desperate bid to escape the burning holiday jet that crashed in torrential rain killing 92 passengers.
Up to 10 British tourists were feared dead after the budget plane smashed into the runway, split in two and burst into flames at Phuket airport, Thailand. Eight other Brits survived
Passengers who escaped jumped from windows to flee the inferno as others left behind in the blaze were screaming for their lives. One, Parinwit Chusaeng, said: "I saw passengers engulfed in fire as I stepped over them on the way out of the plane. I was afraid that the plane was going to explode, so I ran away."
Another added: "It is a miracle that anyone survived."
Other passengers who fled the burning fuselage of Flight OG 269 told how the One-Two-Go jet's pilot desperately tried to abort the landing as his aircraft thundered towards the runway but was forced down by the driving rain and gusting wind. Some claim the approach was too fast.
Thai national Nong Khaonual said: "The plane was landing in heavy rain. It came down too fast.
"Just before we touched the runway we felt it try to lift up and it skidded off the runway.
"My wife was half conscious and I dragged her out of the exit. There was a man behind us who was on fire." Canadian waitress Millie Furlong added: "I've never landed in such conditions before. I saw trees bending over. I'm not sure whether we landed but the pilot tried to bring the plane back up.
"He made a sharp turn right and then we went into the embankment.
"I didn't know how much of the plane in front of us was left. The guy in front of us was in flames. The guy behind was kicking at the window. He kept kicking and kicking but it wasn't loosening.
"If it hadn't opened we would have died. It was dark and smoky. I felt like I was going to pass out." An Irishman identified only as John said: "There was a screaming of engines and I knew something was wrong.
"Then there was a bang, followed by fire. I managed to get through the flames."
After the plane, packed with European backpackers, skidded off the runway the front end smashed into woodland with such force it dug into the side of a hill.
Many not killed by the impact died in the inferno. Tourists from countries including Britain, Ireland, Canada and Australia were among the 28 passengers who survived. They were taken to local hospitals with terrible injuries.
Some had 60 per cent burns. Five were last night critical but doctors believe all will survive.
Passengers in nearby planes were left traumatised by the scenes of carnage.
Marine Keisel, from Paris, said: "We could see the fire coming out of it. It was chaos inside my plane."
The pilot of the doomed McDonnell-Douglas 82 had contacted air traffic control asking to abort the landing and try again.
Thailand's Air Transport Authority chief Chaisak Angsuwan said: "The visibility was poor and the pilot decided to make a go-around but the plane lost balance and crashed. The control tower allowed the request but the aircraft fell to the runway and the body broke."
It is believed both pilots survived. Seven crew members were among the 130 passengers on the flight from Bangkok to the island of Phuket - Thailand's most popular tourist resort.
One-Two-Go chairman Udom Tantipra-songchai said the jet was being flown by an experienced foreign pilot when it crashed at 3.40pm local time.
He added: "I am shocked and deeply sorry about this tragic event."
One-Two-Go, owned by Orient Thai, had an excellent safety record.
Rescuers called off the search for survivors at 9pm last night.
The Foreign Office has set up an emergency helpline for those worried about relatives or friends in Thailand. The number is 0207 008 0000
Mirror
