Widow's Heartbreaking Discovery After Fatal Bus Crash in La Gomera
The heartbroken widow of a 77-year-old British tourist killed in a horrific bus crash on the Canary Island of La Gomera was not aware her husband had died until doctors at a nearby hospital broke the devastating news to her. The woman, believed to have been seated beside her spouse during the accident, was taken to Hospital Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe where she anxiously asked medics: "Where is my husband?"
Shock and Grief Amidst Tragedy
Guacimara Barrera, the director of the hospital, confirmed the elderly man died instantly after the packed tourist bus veered off the road near a bend on Friday afternoon. "The wife was not aware of this at the scene and when she came to the hospital. She was, well, in shock, and we were very sensitive in [informing her]," Ms Barrera stated. The unnamed widow is now receiving comfort from experts while staying at the island's Bancal Hotel & Spa alongside more than 20 other British survivors, including three children, all released from hospital care.
Ms Barrera explained the decision to place her with fellow survivors: "We decided the best place she could be was with everyone because they are doing therapies to overcome the shock of the accident." Meanwhile, Guardia Civil traffic officers spent approximately 90 minutes at the hotel on Saturday gathering crucial witness testimony from those involved.
Investigation Points to Brake Failure
Juan Luis Navarro, the Spanish central government's representative on La Gomera, indicated the leading hypothesis is a mechanical issue, possibly with the brakes. "The hypothesis at the moment is that there was a mechanical problem, possibly with the brakes. But we are not sure about that because police must also take declarations from the other people inside the bus. They are really emotionally affected, so it will be possibly today and tomorrow I think they will take more declarations," he said.
The bus, owned by La Gomera Tours, was travelling downhill towards the ferry port around 1:15 pm on Friday when the driver, aged in his 50s, reportedly realised he had a brake problem. He attempted to pull into a side road and then a gravel track to bring the vehicle to a natural stop, but tragically it continued towards the unfenced edge before plunging down an estimated 50 feet into rocks and foliage.
Survivors Relocated to Avoid Trauma
Mr Navarro noted survivors were moved to the Bancal Hotel & Spa as they did not wish to return to their previous hotel high in the hills, which would have required passing the crash site. The wreckage, with smashed windows and a crumpled steel frame, remained partly covered by a green tarpaulin and is not expected to be removed until Monday.
Six people, including five Brits, remained hospitalised yesterday afternoon. The three most seriously injured, including the driver, were airlifted to Tenerife on Friday, while three others, including a married couple, are being treated at Hospital Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. "I think they are getting better. There will be more medical tests just to know how they are exactly. Once they see the evolution, the doctors will decide what other tests must be conducted," Mr Navarro added regarding the lesser-injured patients.
History of Similar Incidents on Dangerous Road
This tragedy occurred less than 12 months after a similar crash on the same GM-2 road connecting San Sebastian with the rest of the mountainous island. In May last year, a 73-year-old Spanish woman died and 11 others were injured when a public transport bus overturned on a straight stretch just over a mile away and tumbled down a hill.
La Gomera Tours has stated all its vehicles are "up to date" with inspections and was unaware of any incidents or complaints from drivers about that road section. A representative told Spanish media the driver is an experienced local who passes the crash spot "virtually every day."
A spokesperson for tour operator The Holiday Property Bond said: "Our immediate focus is on the safety and wellbeing of everyone affected. We recognise this is an extremely distressing situation for those involved, as well as for their families and loved ones, and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time." Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed condolences on social media, stating: "My thoughts are with those affected by the tragic incident involving a bus carrying British holidaymakers in the Canary Islands."
