A Ryanair flight filled with British holidaymakers bound for Spain has been forced to make an unscheduled landing following a loss of pressure in the cabin, the airline confirmed.
A total of 16 passengers were taken to hospital suffering ear problems after the incident which happened on Monday night en route from Bristol to Barcelona-Girona, Ryanair said.
The aircraft was diverted to Limoges International Airport as a "safety precaution".
But terrified passengers told how they had feared for their lives as the aircraft plummeted and oxygen masks dropped down.
Arctic explorer Pen Hadow and his wife, Mary, and their son and daughter were among those on the flight.
Mr Hadow, who became the first man to walk solo and unsupported from the northern coast of Canada to the North Pole in 2003, said many of the passengers appeared to be in shock.
He said: "I would say some people thought we were going to die - that is how frightening it was. The woman sitting in the seats in front of us was whimpering."
He added some people had cried with relief when the plane landed safely, while others had clapped.
