La Gomera bus crash survivors replace as probe continues into Brit demise

Another British survivor of the La Gomera bus crash has been released from hospital as police continue their investigation. A 77-year-old Brit died and 27 were injured when the bus plunged 65ft off a cliff in Spain

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Another British survivor of the La Gomera bus tragedy has been discharged from hospital, officials have confirmed.

Only two passengers and the driver are now receiving medical care on the nearby island of Tenerife, where they were helicoptered following the collision that also claimed the life of a 77-year-old UK national and left a total of 27 others wounded, including three youngsters.

The Canarian Government’s Ministry of Health today (April 13) revealed that one of the three remaining hospitalised patients is displaying encouraging signs of improvement, while the other two continue in a stable yet serious state.

The coach today remains on the mountainside beneath the island’s GM-2 road, where it plunged after striking a Toyota pick-up truck and tumbling an estimated 65ft onto rocks and vegetation below at approximately 1.15pm on Friday (April 10). The Toyota was today cleared from the location on a low loader.

Juan Luis Navarro, the Spanish central government’s representative on the island, told the Mirror that the bus’ operators La Gomera Tours are still organising arrangements to relocate the vehicle.

Meanwhile, Britain’s ambassador to Spain Sir Alex Ellis expressed gratitude to Mr Navarro, along with other officials, including Canary Islands president Fernando Clavijo, and emergency responders, for their assistance in handling the crash.

In a post shared on X on Monday afternoon, he said: “My thanks to @FClavijoBatlle, @CurbeloCasimiro, Island Director Juan Luis Navarro, @112Canarias and my consular colleagues for their continued and exemplary support for the GB nationals involved in the accident in La Gomera. My thoughts remain with all those affected.”

Police are still conducting interviews with the bus passengers, all of whom were British, but have been unable to question the driver due to his serious condition, as described by medical staff.

They’re also examining the bus tachograph to gather crucial information, including its speed at the time of the crash, following claims that the driver realised there was an issue with his brakes just prior to the incident.

Mr Navarro has suggested that the driver, believed to be 63-years-old, was attempting to halt the vehicle by aiming for two palm trees near the cliff edge, but the coach ended up tumbling off the end of the gravel track adjacent to the road.

Discussing the ongoing investigation, which he hopes may conclude later this week, he stated today: “Police are still in the process of taking testimonies.”

Earlier, Mr Navarro cautioned: “We have to be very patient because not all the passengers are in the same position to collaborate or cooperate. We have to go little by little approaching them.

“I understand the bus rolled two or three times. I don’t know for sure because there are many expert analysis the Civil Guard has to carry out.”

It remained uncertain today whether police have managed to question the widow of the 77-year-old Brit who perished in the collision.

She has received specialist support from psychologists following the crash while attempting to process her devastating loss.

Heartbreakingly, she only learned of her husband’s death when informed by medics after being rushed to hospital, where she enquired: “Where is my husband?”

Those who survived, who were journeying on the coach to La Gomera’s Port to travel to Tenerife for flights back home when the crash occurred, are now attempting to arrange alternative transport back to Britain.

Some were today receiving assistance at the island’s Bancal Hotel and Spa from British consular staff and Richard Wheeler, from Holiday Property Bond, the company that operates the flats where they had been residing.

It is believed the continuing investigation and a shortage of available seats on flights back to the UK from the adjacent island of Tenerife has hampered some of their travel plans.

Discussing their trauma earlier this week, one survivor told a fellow hotel resident: “We thought we were all going to die. It was terrifying.”

Another passenger said: “It is a miracle we survived. It was awful the man died. His wife is distraught.”

An elderly British couple, who wished to remain anonymous, also allegedly likened the crash to “something out of a horror movie”.

They said time appeared to stand still and they “went head over heels twice”. They revealed they had seatbelts fastened, but when the coach came to a halt they found themselves dangling from their seats, and considered themselves fortunate to escape with only bruising.

Speaking today, José Ángel Hernández, General Secretary of the Canary Islands Transport Federation, voiced his “absolute dismay” at the tragedy.

During an interview with the digital programme ‘A Buenas Horas… con José Luis Martín’, broadcast by Europa Press, he characterised the incident as an “unfortunate event” and called for “caution” while the Civil Guard investigation continues.

Hernandez stated: “Regardless of whether the company followed protocols, whether the driver was at fault, or if there was any attribution to our sector, we are profoundly affected because we provide the safety and peace of mind for our passengers, and such misfortunes hit us hard”.

He revealed preliminary findings indicate a possible brake malfunction may have stopped the driver from managing the vehicle and insisted coach travel remains “the safest mode” of transport, only attracting attention when incidents like this occur, which are uncommon.

Hernandez noted car accidents happen “every day” and concluded: “Ideally, we would never be in the news, but statistically, we know it’s inevitable.”

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