British man, 77, dies after tourist bus crashes in Canary Islands

British Man Dies in Tourist Bus Crash on La Gomera

A 77-year-old British man lost his life and 27 others sustained injuries following a tourist bus accident on La Gomera, one of the Canary Islands. The incident occurred as the vehicle was en route to the San Sebastián de La Gomera dock, where a ferry to Tenerife was planned. Emergency services from 112 Canarias shared details in an X post, stating that the bus had 28 passengers—27 British tourists and one driver.

The crash took place on the GM-2 road, which winds through the island’s rugged terrain. According to El Mundo, the bus plummeted from a height of approximately 10 meters, likely near a hairpin bend. A photograph from the emergency response team shows the scene of the accident. Three helicopters and five ambulances were dispatched to the location, as reported by 112 Canarias.

“We are supporting the family of a British man who died in the bus accident,” said a Foreign Office spokesperson, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to those affected.

Initially, all 27 injured individuals were transported to Hospital Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe on the island’s eastern side. By Friday night, 21 had been released, while three remained for further monitoring. The hospital also revealed that three seriously hurt passengers were moved to Tenerife for specialized care. Earlier, two patients—a 73-year-old and a 42-year-old man—were evacuated by helicopter due to severe injuries.

“My thoughts are with those impacted by this tragic incident involving British holidaymakers,” stated Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, adding that the Foreign Office was coordinating with local authorities to assist travelers and their families.

President Fernando Clavijo of the Canary Islands extended his condolences to the victims and their loved ones. La Gomera, the second smallest of Spain’s Canary Islands, is only a 50-minute ferry ride from Tenerife, the largest island in the archipelago. It is renowned for its hiking trails, which traverse its volcanic landscape. The Canary Islands Tourism Observatory noted that around 3.83 million British visitors arrived in 2025, with approximately 70,000 choosing La Gomera as their destination.