British man, 77, dies after tourist bus crashes in Canary Islands

British Man Dies in Tourist Bus Accident on Canary Islands

A British man, 77 years old, passed away following a collision involving a tourist bus that plunged into a ravine on La Gomera, one of the Canary Islands. The crash occurred while the vehicle was en route to San Sebastián de La Gomera dock, where a ferry to Tenerife was scheduled to depart, as reported by Spanish media outlet El Mundo.

Emergency Response and Injuries

Emergency services confirmed that 28 individuals were aboard the bus, comprising 27 British tourists and a local driver. All injured passengers were first transported to Hospital Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, located on the island’s eastern side. By Friday night, 21 had been released, while three remained for further monitoring. Three severely hurt individuals were relocated to hospitals in nearby Tenerife, according to the hospital’s statement.

“My thoughts are with those affected by the tragic incident involving a bus carrying British holidaymakers,” said Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on X. “We are in touch with local authorities and ready to support Brits and their families.”

Emergency operations leader Héctor Cabrera of La Gomera noted that the bus passengers had been “residing at a resort” on the island. The accident occurred at 13:16 local time (13:16 BST), when the bus veered off the road and descended a 10-meter slope, as per El Mundo. The GM-2 road, known for its winding paths, was the route at the time of the crash. An image from emergency services depicts the scene near a sharp hairpin turn.

Authorities mobilized three helicopters and five ambulances to respond to the incident. The crash has drawn attention to the island’s terrain and its appeal to hikers, with volcanic landscapes offering numerous trails. La Gomera, the smallest of the Canary Islands, is just 50 minutes from Tenerife by ferry, making it a favored destination for British visitors. According to the Canary Islands Tourism Observatory, around 70,000 tourists from the UK visit the island annually, with a total of 3.83 million British travelers expected to arrive in 2025.

Support from Officials

President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, extended his “condolences to the victims and their families.” The Foreign Office also emphasized their commitment to assisting affected Britons, sharing contact details for support in their communication.