Nine terrified British tourists were rescued from their burning yacht after it was struck by lightning in a deadly tropical storm.<br /><br />The four couples and one other were onboard the 50ft chartered catamaran off the coast of Phuket, Thailand, when they were caught in storms at 4:30pm on Saturday afternoon. <br /><br />Police said they cowered below deck as the deadly seas rocked the vessel and thunder sounded overhead. <br /><br />A lightning bolt then ripped down from the sky and shattered the boat.<br /><br />Flames tore through the upmarket Beneteau vessel named Emmjay as a passing fishing boat raced to help the stricken crew and holidaymakers - four married couples and one other British woman. <br /><br />Police received a May Day call at around 5pm and coastguards were dispatched to the scene near the Thalang district. <br /><br />Footage shows the boat burning to a wreckage after the holidaymakers had been hauled to safety. <br /><br />The tourists onboard were named as: Kelvin Atkinson, 65, and Susan Atkinson, 64; Catherine Toy, 64, and Stewart Toy, 66; William Tennant, 65, and Lilias Tennant, 68; Anne Anderson, 63, and Martin Anderson, 59; and Magret Hamilton, 64. <br /><br />Marine Chief Wiwat Chitchertwong said all the holidaymakers had been safely rescued. <br /><br />He said: ''Police were notified art 5pm that there was heavy rain and lightning that struck the boat. This caused a fire.<br /><br />''People were already sheltering downstairs in the boat to shelter from the rain when the lightning struck.''<br /><br />Lieutenant Colonel Brapan Chanprakon added: ''There were nine passengers on board and assisted by fishing ships they landed safely.''
