Young British woman who survived Thai jet crash dies from severe burns

Bethan Jones, 22 was aboard the One-Two-Go budget flight which skidded off the runway in torrential rain at Phuket airport 12 days ago.

Her boyfriend Alex Collins, 22, who was sitting next to her, died in the disaster.

The couple, who met at Cardiff University, were only four days into a six-month round-the-world trip.

Bethan's parents Steven, 53, and Jean, 54, and brother Dewi, 24, from Porth, Rhondda, were at her bedside in the Bangkok burns unit when she died.

A friend said: "She was such a beautiful and clever girl - her parents were so proud of her.

"She never properly regained consciousness. She didn't know that Alex had died in the crash.

"Bethan has the cheekiest smile - it would light up everywhere she went. She was very badly injured and never properly regained consciousness. She didn't know that Alex had died in the crash."

Her death brings the total number of those killed in the crash to 90.

Steve Bowden, head teacher of Porth County Community School where Miss Jones was a former pupil, said: "Bethan was popular with both staff and students.

"She was always cheerful with a gentle sense of humour and a relaxed manner that endeared her to both her peers and teachers.

"We are all deeply saddened. Our deepest sympathy goes to her parents and family and she will be in our thoughts and prayers."

Bethan was a star pupil at the school. She went on to graduate with a first-class degree in English Literature from Cardiff University, after achieving an A and two Bs in A-level English, Spanish and French.

Miss Jones's death has been confirmed by the West London Coroner who said an inquest would be opened after her body has been flown home.

Alex's body has already been flown home and a funeral is due to take place next monday in his home town of Maesteg, South Wales.

His heartbroken parents Richard and Margaret said: "Alex was a fantastic, loving son and our loss has left us with a hole in our hearts that can never be filled.

"He was an intelligent, polite and considerate young man with an extraordinary sense of humour.

"He had a great zest for life and both he and his girlfriend Bethan were really looking forward to this trip that he had meticulously planned for over a year."

The full inquests into the deaths of all eight British victims of the crash will be held after an investigation into the crash is carried out.