British man, 77, dies after tourist bus crashes in Canary Islands
Tragedy Strikes British Tourists in Canary Islands Bus Accident
A British man aged 77 lost his life when a tourist bus plunged into a ravine on La Gomera, one of the Canary Islands. The accident left 27 others with injuries, according to reports from Spanish news outlet El Mundo.
Incident Details
The bus was en route to San Sebastián de La Gomera dock, where the group planned to board a ferry to Tenerife. Emergency services confirmed 28 individuals were on board, comprising 27 British tourists and a single driver.
At 13:16 local time (13:16 BST), authorities received a call about the vehicle veering off the road and descending a slope. The crash occurred on the GM-2 road, a winding path known for its steep drops and tight turns. El Mundo noted the bus fell from a height of approximately 10 meters.
“Our thoughts are with those affected by the tragic incident involving a bus carrying British holidaymakers,” said Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper in a post on X. She added, “We are in touch with local authorities and ready to support Brits and their families.”
Emergency responders deployed three helicopters and five ambulances to the scene. Two critically injured patients—a 73-year-old man and a 42-year-old man—were airlifted to Tenerife for specialized care. The hospital in La Gomera, Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, reported that 21 of the injured had been discharged by Friday night, while three remained under observation.
Response Efforts
La Gomera’s emergency operations head, Héctor Cabrera, revealed the passengers had been staying at a resort on the island. The crash site, near a hairpin bend, was highlighted in an image shared by the emergency services, underscoring the challenging terrain.
President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, expressed solidarity with the victims and their families. The island, the second smallest in Spain’s archipelago, is famed for its volcanic landscapes and hiking trails. It lies about 50 minutes by ferry from Tenerife, the largest of the islands.
The Canary Islands Tourism Observatory stated that approximately 70,000 British visitors traveled to La Gomera in 2025, making it a favored destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with travel on the region’s scenic, yet perilous, roads.
