All we learn about Canary Islands bus crash as British pensioner, 77, killed and dozens injured | EUROtoday

A 77-year-old British man has died and 27 folks have been left injured after a vacationer bus plunged right into a ravine within the Canary Islands on Friday.

Three persons are being handled in hospital for critical accidents, together with a 73-year-old man and a 42-year-old man, authorities stated.

The deceased man has not but been named, however authorities officers confirmed on Friday he was a British nationwide.

He was believed to be travelling together with his spouse, who Spanish authorities stated remained in hospital on Friday night.

A state of emergency was declared on the islands after the bus fell from the GM-2 freeway close to San Sebastian de La Gomera at round 1:15pm. All 28 folks on board, together with the driving force, have been taken to hospital.

Investigations are ongoing into the reason for the crash, as police recommended the driving force could have been trying to “fight” a brake failure earlier than the automobile dropped into the ravine.

Here’s every little thing we all know up to now in regards to the crash.

What occurred?

Emergency providers in La Gomera have been first alerted to the crash at 1:15pm on Friday.

Firefighters, police, the Spanish Red Cross and a number of other ambulances, together with an air ambulance, have been among the many emergency responders who attended to the British vacationers and driver.

One man was confirmed to have died within the crash, and all 28 folks on board, together with the driving force, have been taken to hospital.

Three folks suffered critical accidents, together with a 73-year-old man and a 42-year-old man, who have been transported to hospital in Tenerife.

The island shouldn’t be a mainstream vacationer vacation spot however a small and mountainous isle to the west of Tenerife with a inhabitants of round 23,000. It has no worldwide airport, and lots of the individuals who spend time there are hikers – particularly British and German.

What do we all know in regards to the victims?

All 27 passengers on the bus are understood to have been British vacationers within the Canary Islands who have been reportedly on their option to the San Sebastián de La Gomera dock, the place they have been because of journey by ferry to Tenerife earlier than flying again to the UK.

While everybody who was on board was initially taken to hospital, all however six folks have since been discharged, authorities stated.

Of these, one stays in a critical however steady situation, two in a steady situation, and three others are anticipated to be discharged on Saturday.

The deceased man has not but been recognized. It is known he was travelling together with his spouse, who officers stated was nonetheless in hospital on Friday night.

Héctor Cabrera, head of emergency operations on the island, advised public broadcaster TVE the bus passengers had been “staying at a resort” on La Gomera.

What induced the crash?

The precise explanation for the crash shouldn’t be but identified. But police have stated they’re investigating whether or not a brake failure induced the bus to return off the highway, after the driving force seen a problem with braking and “tried to⁠ ⁠fight”.

Juan Luis Navarro, the island director of⁠ ⁠the final state administration, advised journalists the bus then got here off the highway and rolled down the slope.

“Fortunately, it stopped before being thrown off the road,” he stated. “Otherwise it could have been much more serious.”

Emergency providers stated the bus is anticipated to be faraway from the ravine on Saturday.

What has the response been?

Shortly after the incident, president of the Canary Islands Fernando Clavijo posted on X to precise assist for the victims and their households.

The British authorities later confirmed it’s supporting the household of the person who died. A overseas workplace spokesperson stated: “We are supporting the family of a British man who died in the bus accident in the Canary Islands and are in contact with the local authorities.”

Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper wrote on X: “My thoughts are with those affected by the tragic incident involving a bus carrying British holidaymakers in the Canary Islands.

“We are in touch with the local authorities & ready to support Brits & their families.”