Life fears of plane crash Briton

The Bangkok Airways plane hit an old and unmanned control tower

A British tourist has told of fearing for his life after a plane skidded off the runway in Thailand.

The pilot was killed when the Bangkok Airways plane crashed while landing on the tourist island of Koh Samui.

Nick Harvey said he and his new wife Claire, among four Britons injured, were terrified it would catch fire.

Mr Harvey, from Portsmouth, told The Times: "You think of horrible things when plane problems happen, so I said 'Get out as soon as you can'."

His leg was broken and he was trapped in his seat for nearly an hour by metal wreckage. The honeymooning couple had been sitting in the front row of the plane.

Speaking from hospital on Koh Samui, Mr Harvey added: "We landed as you would normally. You expect a bit of a bounce. Then the plane seemed to be going slightly sideways, and we hit something."

The were among seven people who needed hospital treatment following the crash, including the co-pilot, who suffered leg injuries.

The Britons taken to hospital were travelling with Preston-based tour operator Gold Medal, which is part of the Thomas Cook group.

She said the injured couple were initially taken to separate hospitals but were now at the same hospital.

The spokeswoman said: "We have made contact with them and, while they have sustained some injuries, we understand they will make a full recovery.

"Our local representative has visited them and we will be offering all the help and support possible during this time."

The Bangkok Airways flight, carrying 72 people, hit an old and unmanned control tower amid reports of heavy rain.

The plane had taken off from the southern Thai town of Krabi, another popular tourist destination.