A Kent family have spoken of their terror as an oxygen tank exploded ripping a huge hole in the side of the plane they were in 29,000ft above the South China Sea.

The Cashford family had to wear emergency oxygen masks on the flight from Hong Kong to Melbourne, Australia, and struggled to breathe as air was sucked out of the aircraft, just a few metres below where they were sitting.

The plane went into a steep dive and during the 45 minutes it took to land mother Sarah Cashford thought about surviving, dying and being eaten by sharks.

Back at the family home in Rainham, they have told us their amazing story, how terrifying it was - and how they still boarded six different flights around Australia to complete their journey.

Dan Cashford said: "People around me started falling down and crying."

Sarah said: "We were dropping so fast and so quickly. I thought 'there is nothing we can do'. It was terrifying."

• Listen: Dan Cashford describes the terror >>>

• For the full amazing story see Monday's Medway Messenger.