5 July 2012 Last updated at 13:56 ET

British couple in fatal Thailand bus crash recovering

Mr Bennett said he was just thankful they were alive

A British couple have spoken of their good fortune after they survived a fatal bus crash in Thailand on Tuesday.

Jonathan Bennett, 28, from Cornwall, and Roberta Norton, 31, from Guernsey, were on board the bus when it crashed in Surat Thani killing 10 people.

The couple, who now live in Worthing, Sussex, were taken to Surat Thani Hospital for treatment.

Mr Bennett said although they were in a lot of pain they were very lucky to be alive.

He suffered a number of fractures to his right leg and severe cuts and bruises to his head.

Ms Norton received a large cut to her head, which required 35 stitches.

The 31-year-old, who is personal assistant to a dean at Sussex University, said she had had an "ominous feeling" something bad was going to happen after Mr Bennett had already gestured to the driver about his excessive speed.

Ms Norton said she was "just happy to be alive"

She said: "We were so alarmed at the speed... and the bus swerving that Jonathan actually got up and walked up to the driver asking and gesturing at him to slow down.

"He was driving like a mad man. He did slow down for a while."

Mr Bennett said he needed several operations before he could travel home, something they hoped to do together in three or four weeks.

They were two and a half months into what was due to be a year-long trip around South East Asia.

Having travelled from Bangkok through northern Thailand, Lao, Vietnam and Cambodia, they returned to the Thai capital to catch a bus to Ko Phang Ngan, an island off Koh Samui known for its famous Full Moon beach parties.

Mr Bennett said: "We've had an amazing time, met some amazing new friends... we're disappointed we can't continue, but right now I'm just thankful we're alive."

The bus is reported to have hit the central reservation after a tyre burst, before careering into an electricity pylon.

The driver, his two attendants and seven passengers are reported to have died in the crash.