A coach driver has been hailed a hero after a group of 22 British tourists narrowly missed death after the brakes failed and they faced plummeting down a mountainous ravine.
Police say only his skill saved a disaster today on picturesque La Gomera in the Canary Islands.
The tourist bus overturned as the driver struggled to get it under control while it travelled down a narrow mountain road and came to a halt just inches away from the edge of the ravine and its concrete buffers.
The tourist bus overturned (pictured) as the driver struggled to get it under control while it travelled down a narrow mountain road and came to a halt just inches away from the edge of the ravine and its concrete buffers
Most of the terrified passengers escaped with cuts and bruises but one man, aged 89, was seriously injured. He suffered a head injury and a broken arm. Pictured: The scene
The accident occurred at 10.40am today on the rough CV-13 mountain road in the Arguayoda area of the municipality of Alajeró
If not for his brave actions, the coach would have plunged down the steep barranco, one of the natural features of La Gomera island, which is increasingly becoming a holiday favourite with British travellers.
Most of the terrified passengers escaped with cuts and bruises but one man, aged 89, was seriously injured. He suffered a head injury and a broken arm.
Another woman, aged 67, hurt her back. Both are believed to be British.
They were taken to the Hospital Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe whilst the other bus occupants were ferried to a local health centre.
The accident occurred at 10.40am today on the rough CV-13 mountain road in the Arguayoda area of the municipality of Alajeró.
The emergency services said there was dense fog at the time and visibility was particularly bad that high up on the island.
Victims were taken to the Hospital Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe whilst the other bus occupants were ferried to a local health centre
There were 22 British tourists on board, together with two tour guides and the driver.
The Mayor of Alajeró, Manuel Ramos Plasencia, said the brakes on the coach failed and it was the driver’s experience that prevented it from falling down the ravine.
Ambulances, police and medics rushed to the scene following reports of the accident and had to smash the back of the coach to get the passengers out.