A 64-year-old German tourist was killed after a pickup truck ran her over while she was sunbathing on the beach. The incident took place on Gran Canaria Beach in Spain's Canary Islands earlier this month. The woman, who has not been identified by the police, was staying at the popular Playa del Ingles resort on the island when the vehicle ran over her chest. Her husband was taking a dip in the water at the time of the unfortunate incident, reports said.
The driver failed to stop the vehicle and kept driving after the incident. After being tracked down by police, he insisted he had no idea about the incident that he hit someone.
“A woman has died after being run over by a quad on a beach in Gran Canaria. The incident occurred around 12.30 PM yesterday (December 3) at Playa del Ingles in the municipality of San Bartolome de Tirajana," a spokesperson for a regional government-run emergency response coordination centre informed about the incident.
The victim was confirmed dead after the beach lifeguards responded with initial medical assistance.
"Police attended the scene along with paramedics," the statement added.
The incident was reported near the famous Maspalomas Dunes, a few feet away from a beach kiosk. It was believed to be among those where the pick-up delivered merchandise.
The ongoing investigation into the case is believed to be focused on why the vehicle, initially described as a quad by emergency responders, was on the beach outside of the permitted 8 AM to 11 AM delivery times, besides looking out whether it was following a designated route.
The driver in the case is said to have passed the drink and drug tests. He has been described as a 50-year-old veteran worker working on the beach for a decade now and is well aware of the area and its surroundings. Police have yet to identify his nationality.
According to reports, he has not been arrested yet and is being interrogated by authorities and the judge in charge of an ongoing court probe into the accident.
