Thailand fireworks disaster described by British teacher who witnessed New Year Full Moon party horror that left one person dead
At least one person died and dozens were injured at event popular with Brit tourists
A BRITISH teacher has described the horror as revellers were peppered with sparks during a botched NYE Full Moon party in Thailand - which killed one person and injured dozens.
Sam Cooke, who is originally from Howden, East Yorks, watched the terrifying scene unfold as thousands of people scrambled to safety during the New Year celebrations in Koh Phangan.
The 26-year-old said there were "bodies everywhere" as people scrambled up a hill after hundreds were burnt from burning firework shrapnel.
It is believed around 30,000 people were crammed in on Haad Rin beach at the notorious beach party in southern Thailand.
Sam said: "I just couldn't believe it - it was absolute mayhem. It was like something from a film and very scary to witness."
He added: "Lots and lots of people were injured during the hot sparks, but my friends wanted to watch the fireworks from the hill so that pretty much saved me from the sparks.";
The horror took place just minutes after the New Years countdown at the infamous Full Moon Party — a monthly orgy of drink and drugs on Koh Phangnan often attended by Brit visitors.
Dozens suffered severe burns while party-goers attempting to flee from the burning embers caused a near-deadly stampede.
Sam, who stood to watch the fireworks, said: "I heard that someone had died during the scramble - but I don't understand why it hasn't even been reported in Thailand yet.
"It's such a shame because the country has been in mourning for almost three months now - so this was a big, big celebration."
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The event's firework display caused panic when a shower of flaming sparks fell from a line of rockets onto the huddled crowds.
Dramatic video shows party-goers screaming in pain as the red-hot embers landed on them.
Madison Reidy, a New Zealander who attended the party, told : "My whole body was burning; I could feel sparks stinging my face, legs and arms."
The 21-year-old said she saw the moment a female tourist broke her ankle after being trampled on.
Brittany Jerry, who was also at the doomed party, said on Facebook: "It was so scary".
She continued: "We got a little too close to the sign and we would just feel the sparks burning us.
"The worst part really was trying to get out and everyone pushing."
Christian Favours said: "I'm sitting here with holes in my clothes and my friends have burns on there bodies [sic].
"We were trapped underneath people. Literally one of the most traumatic experiences of my life".
Some have even reported that locals attempted to pickpocket panicked tourists trapped in the crowd.
Emma Werthers Leeworthy said she "caught a Thai man trying to pickpocket my phone too".
Tributes have begun pouring in for the unnamed man who died during the event.
The 21-year-old Canadian tourist was pulled unconscious from the sea along with another injured woman but he later died.
Another witness said she tried to perform CPR on him along with three others.
"I can't even begin to explain. My life will never be the same", she said. "To the soul that we lost last night my prayers go out to you and your family."
Yesterday, organisers posted a slick film of the event on Facebook which glossed over the trauma suffered by hundreds of party-goers.
An event spokesperson told The Sun that they used fewer fireworks than normal and that they are not aware of anyone being injured.
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