Emergency crews raced to a remote ravine on La Gomera after a tourist coach careered off the GM-2 road on Friday afternoon. The crash claimed the life of one British passenger and injured 14 others, with 3 seriously hurt and 11 sustaining moderate injuries.
Helicopter and Five Ambulances Scramble to the Scene
The coach, carrying 28 British occupants—including 24 adults, 3 minors, and the driver—plunged down a steep ravine at around 1.15pm local time. The Canary Islands Emergency Service deployed a medical helicopter, five ambulances, and specialist medical teams to the challenging crash site on the rugged Spanish island.
“One person has died, three people are seriously injured and 11 others have suffered moderate injuries,” said a regional emergency response spokesman.
La Gomera’s Treacherous Roads Under Scrutiny
La Gomera is famous for its steep gradients and hairpin bends on scenic roads like the GM-2. The route is popular with tourists seeking the island’s volcanic landscapes and laurel forests, but poses tough driving challenges. Authorities are investigating whether mechanical failure, poor road conditions, or driver error caused the coach to lose control and tumble into the ravine.
Victims Airlifted to Tenerife for Advanced Care
The seriously injured were likely airlifted by helicopter to Tenerife, where trauma facilities are better equipped than La Gomera’s limited medical centres. Those with moderate injuries were transported by ambulance after on-site stabilisation. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has yet to comment. British consular officials are expected to assist injured nationals and handle the repatriation of the deceased.
Coach Safety and Road Conditions Under Investigation
While coach accidents are rare in the Canary Islands, the probe will focus on the operator’s safety record, driver credentials, vehicle maintenance, and local road conditions. La Gomera, less visited than Tenerife and Gran Canaria, draws tourists for its UNESCO-listed Garajonay National Park and stunning coastlines. The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the risks on the islands’ dramatic but dangerous roads.
