A tragic incident occurred in the Canary Islands as a bus carrying British tourists crashed, resulting in one fatality and 27 injuries. The bus veered off the GM-2 road on the island of La Gomera, plunging down a ravine near a tunnel. The deceased was identified as a 77-year-old British national, with two others suffering severe injuries airlifted to hospitals in Tenerife.
The accident, which occurred around 1.15pm local time, was attributed to brake failure by the bus driver. Initial reports indicated that the bus collided with a Toyota pick-up truck before careening off the road. Emergency services confirmed one fatality, three serious injuries, and eleven moderate injuries, prompting a swift response with medical helicopters and ambulances dispatched to the scene.
All passengers on the bus, consisting of 24 adults, three children, and the driver, were British tourists staying at El Balcon de Santa Ana resort in Playa de Santiago. The vehicle belonged to Gomera Tours, a company offering island excursions and transportation services, which stated that their vehicles undergo regular inspections and were not aware of any issues on that particular road.
The GM-2 road, connecting San Sebastian with La Gomera, is now under investigation by Civil Guard officers to determine the accident’s cause. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed condolences and assured support for affected British nationals and their families through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Regional authorities have declared a state of alert following the multi-casualty accident, activating emergency response protocols as investigations continue.
