A British tourist who spent more than three hours trapped in an eight-foot sand hole said he believed he was going to die before beachgoers rescued him.

Jensen WJJ Sturgeon, 22, was found buried waist-deep in a hole he had dug himself when it collapsed around him on Copacabana Beach in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on April 22.

He had reportedly decided to dig as deep as he could and struck water, creating a quicksand-like trap that caused his legs to sink and become stuck.

More than 30 people, including beachgoers, vendors, and lifeguards, tried to rescue the tourist.

Some were digging around him, while others handed over bits of wood and rope in an attempt to pull the man out, but nothing seemed to work.

According to witnesses, the rescue took more than three hours. During that time, Jansen became the centre of attention on the beach, and was even given a beer to stay hydrated.

He was eventually pulled out by rescuers as onlookers applauded.

Jensen said: 'I'm Jensen from England and I'm the guy who was stuck in that hole.

'I was digging an eight-foot hole and basically what was going through my head was, I thought I was going to die.

'But luckily I had good people to save me. Obrigado to the people of Rio that helped me out.'