British Tourist Killed and Children Injured in La Gomera Bus Crash
A 77-year-old British man has tragically lost his life, and multiple children are among the injured after a tourist bus carrying 27 British nationals plunged into a ravine on the island of La Gomera in the Canary Islands. The horrific incident occurred on Friday, prompting a massive emergency response from local authorities.
Emergency Services Deploy to Scene of Devastating Accident
Emergency services were swiftly deployed to the crash site off the GM-2 road in San Sebastian de La Gomera, located on the east coast of the island. The 112 Canarias official account posted on social media platform X to confirm the incident, which was reported just after 1 p.m. local time. According to officials, the bus came off the road at a sharp hairpin bend and slid down a slope before coming to rest in a ravine.
Photographs shared by the Canary Islands government on social media appear to show the bus in the ravine, highlighting the severity of the crash. Firefighters, police officers, the Spanish Red Cross, and several ambulances, including an air ambulance, were among the emergency responders who attended to the British tourists and the driver at the scene.
Injuries and Hospital Transfers Following the Crash
In addition to the fatality, four people sustained serious injuries, while 23 others suffered minor injuries. Among the seriously injured were a 73-year-old man and a 42-year-old man, both of whom suffered traumatic injuries. They were initially taken to Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Hospital in San Sebastian de La Gomera before being transferred by helicopter to hospitals in Tenerife for further treatment.
Two other seriously injured individuals were also transported to Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Hospital, along with the 23 people with minor injuries. The exact number of children injured has not been specified, but reports confirm that minors are among the casualties.
Government Response and State of Alert Issued
At 2 p.m., a state of alert was issued by the Canary Islands government in response to the incident, coming into force shortly after the crash. This measure underscores the gravity of the situation and the coordinated efforts to manage the aftermath.
Shortly after the state of alert was declared, the president of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, posted on X to express his support for the victims and their families. His message highlighted the community's solidarity during this difficult time, as investigations into the cause of the crash continue.
