We were no heroes, says Briton in Thai plane crash

One of three Britons who escaped from the burning One-Two-Go jet on Sunday was Ashley Harrow, 27, an engineer from Belfast.

Lying in hospital, he said he was at best a "reluctant hero" for his role in opening passenger doors moments after the crash on Sunday, reported the Guardian online.

British backpacker hailed as hero of Sunday's air crash

He was sitting next to the emergency exit on the ill-fated flight which crashed as it attempted to land, erupting into a fireball which killed 89 people.

Mr Harrow peeled open the door, which had been first breached by his co-passenger Peter Hill, and fled from the flames.

He however said neither of them deserved any credit for rescuing other passengers.

"Peter jumped and I followed him out on the wing. There was smoke and I could feel the flames. There was a fireball. To be honest we just started running and kept on going," Mr Harrow said.

"I only turned round later and just saw this black cloud pouring out of the plane. I expected to see dozens of people coming out. But there was no one."

"To be honest Peter and I are both pretty embarrassed by all this hero stuff. We opened the door, that's all. [When we crashed] it was just madness. I thought, I just want out of this. It was just a fluke Peter and I were next to the emergency exit," the Guardian quoted him as saying.

Mr Hill, 35, a teacher from Manchester who has been praised by Thailand's prime minister, Surayud Chulanont, for his assumed heroism, yesterday posted a sign outside his hospital room saying he would not be giving any interviews.

"He does not want any of this hero stuff," said Mr Harrow. "Neither do I. I just want to make the full moon beach party next week and finish my holiday," reported London-based daily.

Harrow said he collapsed in pain amid chaos and billowing smoke, coming to in hospital, where doctors told him he had fractured his back.

Asleep when the plane started its deadly descent, Harrow was jolted awake after being thrown forward by the impact. He is expected to stay in hospital for a week.

According to Thai authorities the third UK survivor receiving hospital treatment is Bethan Jones, 22, from Porth, south Wales. She has been flown to a Bangkok hospital and is in a critical condition.

She had been travelling around the world with her boyfriend, Alex Collins, 22, from Maesteg, south Wales, who is believed to be among the dead. He graduated from university with a degree in English literature last year.

Last night a Cardiff University friend said: "They were like two peas in a pod - real soulmates. Both Alex and Beth had a great sense of humour and loved life. They had been planning this round-the-world trip for ages."