Family flee Rhodes in bikini and swim shorts as flames engulfed hotel
A family has told how they had no option other than to flee in their swimwear while flames were tearing through their hotel in Rhodes. The kids were reportedly left in a hysterical state amid the apocalyptic scenes.
In shocking pictures, holidaymakers are seen in the pool and enjoying cocktails as a plume of smoke and the hint of red flames rears above their hotel in the five star Princess Adriana Resort and Spa in Kaitori. Some of its buildings were burnt to the ground soon after, including the kids club and sports facilities. Two other hotels on the hill have burned down.
Aleshia Jones, from Sutton Coldfield, says she believes they only made it out because of the courage of a local boat owner who made his way through thick smoke to help them escape, with panicked holidaymakers shoving women and kids aside to get on board. Her family later made their own way to the airport, at one point with two of them in the boot of an overloaded taxi, and took the first flight out they could get on. It meant they arrived home still in their bikinis and shorts.
The Jones and Brookes families relive their ordeal after holidaying in Rhodes, Greece (Aleshia Jones) "Staff said the smoke was from fires miles away and we were safe - but it was quickly clear it was coming our way," said traumatised Aleshia. "Ash was falling from the sky into the pool and the smoke made it hard to breathe."
During the panic that later ensued, she said the children were hysterical. "We all thought we were going to die."
She had arrived with husband Ryan, kids Jenson, 11, and five year old Taylie, and relatives Donna and John-Paul Brookes and their kids Harrison, 11, and Huey, seven, in the early hours of Saturday for what they hoped would be a dream holiday.
You can read the full story on Birmingham Live here