'Eight Britons' Killed In Thai Plane Crash

Eight Britons are believed to have been killed in the plane crash on the Thai island of Phuket at the weekend, Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said.

Mr Miliband also said that another three Britons were still being treated in hospital, one of whom is in a serious condition.

In a statement, Mr Miliband said: "Everyone will have been shocked by the news of the air crash in Thailand on Sunday.

"My thoughts are with all of those who have been affected, and particularly with the families of the eight British nationals we now believe lost their lives."

Twenty-seven British officials are now in Phuket to help those affected by Sunday's crash, the Foreign Office confirmed.

Earlier today, a rapid deployment team, including three Red Cross volunteers, also arrived on the island.

At least 89 passengers and crew were killed when the One-Two-Go budget airlines jet crashed while trying to land at Phuket airport in heavy rain.

On Monday, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Aaron Toland, 22, from Londonderry, had been killed in the crash.

Meanwhile, two Britons - Peter Hill, 35, from Manchester and Ashley Scott Harrow, 27, from Moira Co. Down - have been praised for their bravery after forcing open an emergency exit on the plane to save the lives of several people.

Air accident investigators have recovered the flight recorders from the plane, but it is expected to be several weeks before the cause of the crash is known.

There has been speculation that the plane may have been affected by a sudden change in wind speed and direction as it was about to land and there have also been reports that the pilot was warned about strong winds at the airport.

A phoneline for Britons concerned about relatives has been set up by the Foreign Office. It can be contacted on: 0207008000. One-Two-Go has also established a hotline for those concerned about relatives. It can be contacted on: 0066 859 113438.

(KMcA)