On Friday, April 10, 2026, tragedy struck the Spanish island of La Gomera in the Canary Islands when a tour bus carrying 27 British tourists and their driver veered off a mountainous road and plunged down a ravine, resulting in the death of a 77-year-old British man and injuries to all other passengers, including three children. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and among British holidaymakers, highlighting both the risks of travel on La Gomera’s winding roads and the swift response of emergency services.
According to emergency services 112 Canarias, the accident occurred at approximately 13:15 local time as the bus was navigating the GM-2 road near a notorious hairpin bend close to San Sebastián de La Gomera. The group, who had been staying at a resort in Playa de Santiago, were en route to the dock to catch a ferry to Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, as reported by El Mundo and confirmed by several local sources. The bus, operated by Gomera Tours—a company known for its excursions and transfers throughout the islands—was midway through a 30-kilometer journey when disaster struck.
Eyewitness accounts and official statements reveal that the driver, who sustained minor injuries himself, reported a brake failure moments before the crash. In a desperate attempt to avoid catastrophe, he steered the vehicle onto a dirt track to try to bring it to a halt. However, he lost control, and the bus collided with the back of a Toyota pick-up truck before plunging approximately 10 meters down a steep slope. The vehicle rolled onto its side, coming to rest several feet from the main road, as shown in dramatic images shared by emergency responders and news agencies including the BBC and Reuters.
Emergency services responded rapidly, deploying three helicopters, five ambulances, and multiple medical teams to the scene. The swift action of first responders was crucial in transporting the injured to safety. Most of the casualties were taken to Hospital Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe on the east of La Gomera, while two men with particularly severe injuries—a 73-year-old and a 42-year-old—were airlifted to hospitals in neighboring Tenerife for specialized care. In total, four individuals were reported to be in serious condition, with the remainder suffering moderate or minor injuries, according to the Canary Islands’ emergency service and further corroborated by The Telegraph.
Héctor Cabrera, the chief of emergency operations in La Gomera, explained to public broadcaster TVE that the tourists “were staying at a resort” and praised the driver’s efforts: “He tried to fight to control the vehicle after detecting the malfunction in the moments before the crash. The incident could have been far more serious if it was not for the driver’s actions.” A receptionist at El Balcón de Santa Ana, the resort where the tourists had stayed, confirmed to the press, “They had left the hotel to head to Tenerife on the ferry. They were all British.”
The deceased, identified by the Civil Guard as a 77-year-old British man, has not yet been named publicly. The British Foreign Office expressed condolences, stating, “Our thoughts go out to those affected by this tragic incident. We are aware of the situation, and we stand ready to support British nationals. We are also in touch with local authorities on the ground.” The sentiment was echoed by local officials, with the President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, posting on X (formerly Twitter), “My support to the victims and their families.” Angel Victor Torres, the Minister for Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, added, “Tragic news in La Gomera, with the confirmation of one person deceased. Very attentive to the actions in these first moments of the emergency services and the healthcare personnel. With a heavy heart. May there be no more victims.”
Gomera Tours, the operator of the ill-fated bus, insisted that all its vehicles were “up to date with inspections” and stated they were unaware of any previous complaints from drivers about that stretch of road. The GM-2, which connects San Sebastián with other parts of La Gomera, is infamous for its sharp turns and steep drops. Notably, this is not the first time tragedy has struck on this road; last year, a separate fatal bus accident occurred, claiming one life and injuring ten others.
Police have launched a thorough investigation into the cause of Friday’s crash. Officers are examining the road for skid marks and other evidence that could shed light on the events leading up to the accident. While the driver’s report of brake failure is a significant lead, authorities have yet to confirm the exact cause. The regional government’s emergency response coordination center declared an alert situation due to the scale of the incident, activating the Territorial Emergency Plan for Civil Protection of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands (PLATECA).
La Gomera, the second smallest of Spain’s Canary Islands, is renowned for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, dense forests, and cliffside villages. Despite its small size, it attracts thousands of British tourists each year—about 70,000 in 2025 alone, according to the Canary Islands Tourism Observatory. The wider archipelago is a favorite destination for Britons and Europeans alike, with over 3.8 million British visitors in 2025, drawn by the islands’ year-round mild climate and natural beauty.
The crash has prompted renewed scrutiny of road safety on the island, especially on routes frequented by tourist buses. While Gomera Tours maintains its fleet is well-maintained, the fact that two fatal bus accidents have occurred on the GM-2 in less than a year is likely to spur further investigation and calls for enhanced safety measures. For many, the incident is a stark reminder of the unpredictable dangers that can arise even in the most idyllic holiday settings.
As the injured continue to receive treatment and families grapple with the aftermath, both local authorities and British officials have pledged ongoing support. The resilience and professionalism of the emergency services, as well as the compassion shown by bystanders and local residents, have been widely praised. Yet, for those affected, the journey to recovery—both physical and emotional—will take far longer than the brief, tragic moment that changed their lives on a winding road in La Gomera.
The investigation is ongoing, and the island community remains united in mourning and support for the victims and their families.