A Norwich man has described his frantic efforts to escape after the dancefloor of a nightclub in Tenerife collapsed, injuring him and 40 others.

Eastern Daily Press: Image of the scene at the Butterfly Disco Pub in Tenerife after the floor collapsed, injuring around 40 people. Photo: Bomberos de TenerifeImage of the scene at the Butterfly Disco Pub in Tenerife after the floor collapsed, injuring around 40 people. Photo: Bomberos de Tenerife (Image: Bomberos de Tenerife)

Gareth Humbles, who lives on Gas Hill, was enjoying a night out on holiday at the Butterfly Disco Pub when the incident happened.

The 35-year-old, who works at intu Chapelfield's O2 store, was among clubbers who fell through the floor into the basement of the venue.

Mr Humbles suffered multiple injuries during the incident, which occurred at around 2.30am on Sunday, November 26.

He said: 'It started as a standard night out, we were on the strip, went to a few cocktail bars and ended up in the club.

Eastern Daily Press: Image of the scene at the Butterfly Disco Pub in Tenerife after the floor collapsed, injuring around 40 people. Photo: Bomberos de TenerifeImage of the scene at the Butterfly Disco Pub in Tenerife after the floor collapsed, injuring around 40 people. Photo: Bomberos de Tenerife (Image: Bomberos de Tenerife)

'Everything happened so quickly, it almost doesn't feel real. I was dancing one moment and then the floor gave way and we all fell at once. Imagine being in a lift and it breaking suddenly, that's what it was like.'

He added: 'People were frantic, it was pitch black and everyone was scrambling and fighting to get out. It was a pretty traumatic experience.

'My foot got caught under the debris, but I was one of the lucky ones. I managed to get myself out.'

After locating a fire exit, Mr Humbles was taken to hospital where he was treated for sprained ankles and cuts.

'My body is black and blue, I've got stitches all over and I can barely walk right now, but I'm going to be ok,' he said.

'The medical services did a great job, they were really quick to respond and they had to deal with so many people at once.'

Mr Humbles had been staying in Playa de las Américas on holiday. He travelled to Tenerife with two friends from Norwich who he became separated from during the accident. He has not seen them since.

He said he believed they were being cared for in hospital, but did not want to identify them.

Eastern Daily Press: The damage at the Butterfly Disco Pub in Tenerife. Pic: Bomberos de Tenerife.The damage at the Butterfly Disco Pub in Tenerife. Pic: Bomberos de Tenerife. (Image: Bomberos de Tenerife)

He said: 'We're meant to be flying back home this week, but I'm not sure whether they're going to be able to leave. I'm still waiting to hear.'

Eastern Daily Press: The damage at the Butterfly Disco Pub in Tenerife. Pic: Bomberos de Tenerife.The damage at the Butterfly Disco Pub in Tenerife. Pic: Bomberos de Tenerife. (Image: Bomberos de Tenerife)

Eastern Daily Press: The damage at the Butterfly Disco Pub in Tenerife. Pic: Bomberos de Tenerife.The damage at the Butterfly Disco Pub in Tenerife. Pic: Bomberos de Tenerife. (Image: Bomberos de Tenerife)

Eastern Daily Press: The damage at the Butterfly Disco Pub in Tenerife. Pic: Bomberos de Tenerife.The damage at the Butterfly Disco Pub in Tenerife. Pic: Bomberos de Tenerife. (Image: Bomberos de Tenerife)

Eastern Daily Press: The damage at the Butterfly Disco Pub in Tenerife. Pic: Bomberos de Tenerife.The damage at the Butterfly Disco Pub in Tenerife. Pic: Bomberos de Tenerife. (Image: Bomberos de Tenerife)