A terrified Scottish family caught up in a strong earthquake in Greece said they went through the most horrendous experience of their lives.
Nicola and Stewart Liddell feared they were under attack when their hotel began shaking in the dead of night and glasses and lamps smashed to the floor.
The Perthshire couple, originally from Fife, could barely stand as they grabbed their two children and fled the building along with dozens of other screaming holidaymakers.
The pair, who live near Coupar Angus, had been celebrating Stewart’s 50th birthday on the sunshine island of Kos with daughter Dana, 13, and 12-year-old son Jack.
They were joined by Stewart’s brother Gordon and wife Michelle in the resort of Psalidi, which overlooks the Turkish coast.
The 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck at around 1.30am as the family slept, just hours after they spent a “wonderful” afternoon toasting Stewart on board a privately chartered boat.
Two people died and more than 115, including tourists, were injured – 12 of them seriously.
The Liddells were shocked but unhurt.
Nicola, 44, who was brought up in Kirkcaldy where her dad Jack Pillans owned a bakery, said: “The whole room shook like a huge freight train was roaring through it.
“It was the most horrendous thing we have ever experienced.”
Adding that all power was lost, she stated: “People were panicked, running and screaming from their rooms.”
A number of aftershocks have left the group too frightened to re-enter the hotel and as they desperately tried in vain to secure flights home, they set up camp by the roadside, using sun loungers and lilos as makeshift beds.
“We slept out by the main entrance away from all the buildings – although no-one has actually slept,” said Nicola.
“We have moved beds to shade as it’s about 32 degrees but will move back to the roadside for the evening.
“We have blankets and will camp out together again.”
The family is due to fly home to Scotland late on Sunday night but are conscious they may be delayed after the airport had to be closed for several hours on Friday.
Despite their ordeal, they have praised staff at their hotel who they said went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure guests’ safety.
“They are amazing,” said Nicola.
“Despite hearing reports about their families being injured they have all pitched up and are providing drinks and snacks whilst constantly clearing up and trying to put things back together.”
