'I thought I was going to die': British tourist rescued after three hours trapped in hole he dug on Brazilian beach

A British man who got stuck in a huge hole on a beach in Brazil has told how he "thought he was going to die" before being rescued by locals in a terrifying three-hour ordeal.

Jensen Sturgeon was celebrating his 22nd birthday in Rio de Janeiro while on vacation with friends on April 26, when the group decided to visit the iconic Copacabana beach, reports Telegraph.

Sturgeon, a baggage handler at Gatwick Airport, began digging a hole while his friends "sunbathed" and was even given a shovel to help him in his efforts.

But after reaching a depth of over two meters, the surrounding sand collapsed, leaving the Briton stranded.

After struggling against the sand, Sturgeon managed to free his head and call for help, with around 30 people gathering around him in an attempt to pull him out.

It took three hours for the crowd to rescue the tourist, using pieces of wood, shovels and pieces of rope to pull him to the surface.

He was eventually rescued to the cheers and applause of passersby, while some filmed the dramatic act. /Telegraph/