A 64-year-old German woman lost her life earlier today (Monday) after being hit by a pickup truck on Playa del Inglés beach in the south of Gran Canaria. The vehicle, reportedly providing services to beach kiosks, accidentally ran over the victim while she was sunbathing near kiosk number 4, according to eye witnesses.
The incident occurred while the woman’s husband was in the sea, and the driver of the truck, a 50-year-old man with over a decade of experience driving on sand, allegedly did not realise he had run over the woman.
Beachgoers quickly alerted the authorities at 12:30pm, prompting the arrival of officers from the Local Police as well as lifeguards from the Red Cross beach rescue service.
Unfortunately, despite their efforts, the medical personnel who arrived on the scene were unable to save the woman’s life and she succumbed to her injuries in the ambulance en route to a medical facility.
Investigation Underway
The Local Police of San Bartolomé de Tirajana have opened an investigation to determine the circumstances of the accident. Preliminary reports indicate that the truck was not in the exact location of the incident when authorities arrived but was quickly found. The driver, who appeared unaware of the fatal accident, was taken to the police station for further questioning.
Authorities will investigate whether the vehicle was operating within the designated pathways and during the permitted hours. Beach service vehicles, such as those supplying kiosks, are authorised to drive on the sand only during specific hours. Other than emergency vehicles like police and Red Cross units, these service trucks are restricted to prevent such accidents.
