A coach taking British holidaymakers to the ferry and airport plunged off the GM-2 in La Gomera on 10/04/2026; emergency teams treated 28 people and one 77-year-old man died
On 10/04/2026, a tourist coach carrying British holidaymakers left the GM-2 road on the island of La Gomera and descended into a ravine. The vehicle was transporting a group bound for the ferry and onward connections when it came off a bend near a tunnel and ended up on its side some distance from the carriageway.
Local emergency services, including a medicalised helicopter and multiple ambulances, were dispatched immediately. Authorities confirmed the coach bore the logo of Gomera Tours, a company that provides transfers and excursions across the islands.
The manifest listed 28 occupants: 24 adults, three minors and the driver.
Civil Guard and regional health officials reported that one of the passengers, a 77-year-old British man, died at the scene. The remaining 27 people sustained injuries ranging from minor to severe and were taken to the island’s main emergency facility, the Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Hospital in San Sebastián de La Gomera.
In the hours after the accident, several patients with serious trauma were stabilised for transfer to Tenerife hospitals.
The crash and immediate response
Eyewitness images and rescue accounts show the coach lying on its side below the road, with skid marks visible close to the bend where the vehicle left the carriageway. Emergency teams established a multi-agency response that included the Canary Islands Emergency Service, the Red Cross, Civil Protection personnel and regional medical teams. A control centre declared an alert under PLATECA, the Territorial Emergency Plan for Civil Protection, enabling coordinated resources and priority care. Officials emphasised the speed of the response, with air assets used to reach and evacuate the most seriously injured.
Victims, injuries and hospital transfers
Initial reports indicated three people were in critical condition; later updates raised that number to four. Two seriously injured men—aged 73 and 42—were flown by helicopter from La Gomera to Tenerife hospitals: one to the University Hospital of the Canary Islands and another to the University Hospital Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria. The remainder were treated at Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, with 23 patients described as having minor injuries and several others receiving moderate care. Medical teams used ambulances and the Red Cross to transport those not requiring air transfer.
Casualty handling and patient flow
Health authorities organised triage at the scene and maintained a log of transfers and destinations. The designation of a medicalised helicopter—a helicopter equipped with specialised personnel and equipment for emergency treatment—was critical in moving patients with life-threatening injuries to higher-level facilities on Tenerife. Hospitals prepared to receive and operate on trauma patients while local staff continued to care for those remaining on La Gomera.
What investigators and officials have said
Police investigators and Civil Guard officers examined the road surface and tyre marks at the bend to establish the sequence of events. According to the driver’s account to authorities, the vehicle suffered a failure of the braking system while descending the hill; he attempted to divert onto a dirt track in a bid to avoid a worse outcome. The coach reportedly also hit the rear of a Toyota pickup before falling off the road. Forensic and mechanical inspections will seek to determine whether equipment failure, road geometry or other factors contributed to the accident.
Government and diplomatic response
Regional leaders and national ministers expressed condolences and pledged support. The President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, and other officials praised the work of emergency services. The UK Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said the UK Government was in contact with local authorities and offered consular assistance. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provided helpline numbers for relatives seeking information: +44 20 7008 5000 and +34 928 262 508. Authorities also noted the tragic proximity of this crash to a previous fatal coach incident on the same road within the last year.
Context and next steps
La Gomera’s GM-2 connects the island capital with northwestern districts and is a route used frequently by tourist transfers. The island’s steep, volcanic topography and its winding roads are known challenges for drivers and operators. Investigators will review vehicle maintenance records, operator compliance with inspections and any witness testimony. Meanwhile, local emergency coordination remains focused on patient care, family liaison and ensuring accurate, timely information for those affected.
Support for victims and families
Authorities urged anyone needing assistance or information to contact the FCDO numbers provided and to follow official channels for updates. Rescue services and hospital teams continued to stabilise and treat patients while civil protection units assisted with logistical needs. As the investigation proceeds, officials said they aim to clarify the technical causes behind the crash and to recommend measures to prevent similar tragedies on La Gomera’s roads.
