Flying at 29,000 feet over the South China Sea, an oxygen tank exploded, ripping a massive hole in the side of the plane a Rainham family was travelling to Australia in.

The Cashford family had to wear emergency oxygen masks on Qantas flight QF30 from Hong Kong to Melbourne and struggled to breathe as air was sucked out of the cabin just metres below where they were sitting.

During the 45 minutes it took to land, Sarah Cashford thought about surviving, dying and being eaten by sharks.

Back at the family home, they told us their amazing story, how terrifying it was and how they still boarded six different flights around Australia to complete their journey.

• Listen: Dan Cashford describes the terror >>>