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An airline handing out free plane tickets caused chaos, leaving would-be holidaymakers hurt and shaken as a mob scrambled to get their hands on them.

Hundreds of people turned up to chase Jet2Holidays staff - who were dressed in red morph suits - across Derby city centre for the chance to win a free break.

But many people - some of whom were injured in the ruckus - were left angry and branded the PR stunt 'dangerous' on social media. 

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Crowd: People jostling to get their hands on the hundreds of pairs of tickets given away by Jet2holidays staff

Free travel giveaway chase causes chaos in Derby City centre

A huge crowd ended up running after Jet2holidays staff and bosses from the travel company admitted their staff were left 'shaken' in the ruckus.

George Salloway,18, from Littleover, Derbyshire, managed to grab hold of an envelope after it was thrown from the top of a water feature in the city centre.

He said: 'The woman said she had four envelopes left and that she would throw them. I jumped into the air and grabbed it. People were trying to grab it off me but I managed to cling on by holding it into my chest.

'I've got two return tickets to Prague. I'm so pleased!' 

Being chased: One of the holiday firm's staff runs through Derby while handing out free plane tickets

Seeing red: Models dressed as morphs before they were assaulted by the 'over-excited' mob

But many unlucky people took to social media to air their frustrations at the 'dangerous' publicity stunt, which according to eyewitnesses left some people hurt.

Stan Revers said on Facebook: 'People were assaulting the models and fighting over tickets. We saw girls dragged to the ground. Totally traumatising to children.'

Vicky Carey said: 'Very disorganised. People got hurt.'

Another would-be holidaymaker James West said: 'Actually pretty dangerous. That went out of control outside the Cathedral.

'Nobody seemed to know what was going on and it turned into a right mess.' 

Gemma Evans said: 'Totally chaos and disorganisation. Waste of time and dangerous publicity stunt.' 

Keeping in it the family:  The Leadbeaters (from left to right) Joel, Zara, Frankie and Demi nabbed a trip to Malta

Off on a free holiday: Siblings George and Sophie Salloway managed to grab a pair of return tickets to Prague

Charlene Coy said: 'So badly organised. My little boy was with me and my friend got hurt. We are not happy.'

Kayleigh Hellewell wrote: 'Derby handout was very disappointing!! No info on arrival on how you're meant to get a ticket. I stopped one of the morphs and they shouted at me to let go. How else are you meant to get one?'

Tom White said: 'My sister was there and she said it was really poorly organised. They told everyone to run after the morphs and touch them to get a ticket. 

'So she did and, when she touched them, they yelled "No". Ridiculous.'

Bosses from the travel firm put the chaos down to people being 'over-excited'.

Winners: Friends Charlotte Mezo and Kelly Brierley won a trip to Chambery, France

Gabby O'Grady, from Jet2holidays, said: 'People were getting over-excited about the flights, people got carried away and were getting into the spirit of it.

'It was chaotic at some points, people were very keen to get the flights. We were really pleased with the amount of people that came out.'

Steve Lee, commercial director for Jet2holidays, said that the turnout had been far greater than expected.

He said: 'We were quite surprised. It shows the power of social media. A mob happened but we managed to handle it reasonably well.

'We had 100 envelopes to give away. The problem was our reps were being chased. It was pretty crazy and our staff were quite shaken.'