Stewardess reveals how she survived plane crash that killed 71

The stewardess who survived the Chapecoense air tragedy has revealed how her quick thinking most likely saved her life.

Ximena Suarez, 28, was one of only six survivors on board the La Mia flight that crashed on its descent to Medellin, Colombia, on November 28, 2016.

A year on from the horrifying accident, she has dismissed people's claims her survival is a miracle and pointed to God after a split-second reaction on board the flight sent her running down the aisle to the rear of the plane.

"I see that people admire me, I think they see me as a miracle," she told El Pais.

"Some people tell me luckily you saved yourself for me, it is not luck, is the will of God, and obviously I feel sad for having lost my teammates."

There were 71 fatalities in the crash and Ms Suarez has revealed the horror of the accident has left her struggling to sleep.

"Some nights they give me nightmares, I cannot sleep; I try to leave the pills, but I cannot because I wake up at night, so I must continue taking them," she said.

Among the fatalities were 19 footballers from professional Brazilian football team Chapecoense, with only three squad members surviving.

• 'Celebration turned tragedy': 71 confirmed dead in horror Colombian plane crash

• 'Like bomb going off': Impact of Melbourne's worst plane disaster in 30 years

• 'That sickened me': Mayor causes outrage by parking in disabled spot

Ms Suarez said herself and the other five survivors have become like family since their miraculous yet harrowing tale.

"I consider the survivors as brothers, because that same day of the 28th we were born again," she said.