58-year-old Briton killed and her grandson fighting for life after falling off a cliff on a mobility scooter in Benidorm

A British woman has died as her grandson fights for his life after his mobility scooter plunged off a hill in the Spanish resort of Benidorm.

The 58-year-old is said to have driven the ‘motorized chair’ to the edge of the cliff in the Serra Gelada natural park in Benidorm, Spain.

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Her rented mobility scooter slammed into a wooden barrier on a bend and the woman fell 65ft to her death.

Spanish media report that the woman was with her eight-year-old grandson and her husband, who was riding behind her on an identical scooter at the time.

Although initial reports suggested the child had been treated for minor injuries, he was reportedly admitted to intensive care following the accident.

According to local media, the eight-year-old was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit at Alicante General Hospital with injuries that have not been made public.

Additionally, reports claim the youngster was traveling on the same mobility scooter the woman was thrown from.

Police sources also admitted they had not ruled anything out and were looking at all possibilities, including that of the British woman fainting before she had her fatal accident.

The woman’s 60-year-old husband also needed medical attention after he injured himself trying to reach his wife.

Spanish press reports that the scooter was driven off-road and into a hard-to-reach hillside area below the Benidorm Cross, a popular vantage point with stunning views of the Costa Blanca resort and the Serra Gelada Natural Park.

It is believed the woman was returning to her hotel from Benidorm Cross when the accident happened.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene on Wednesday August 24 around 4:15 p.m.

The path where the tragic accident happened – known as the “barranco” – is incredibly steep and covered with huge stone boulders.

Paramedics treated the woman at the scene where she sadly died after a two-hour rescue operation.

The police investigate the exact cause of the accident and inspect the motorized scooter to ensure that it meets all legal safety requirements.

A spokesperson for Benidorm Town Hall said: “The British woman appears to have lost control of her mobility scooter on a bend as she descended the hill.

“She hit a wooden barrier separating the road from the chasm on the other side and was thrown from the scooter during the accident.

“The fall is approximately 65ft. Firefighters recovered her body and she had an obvious head injury as well as facial injuries.

“An investigation is ongoing but this is being treated as a tragic accident.”

A well-placed source said: “The main theory at the moment is that the woman was going too fast.

“The place where she broke through the wooden barrier is on a slope and a bend.

“Paramedics attempted to resuscitate her when they arrived at the scene, but could do nothing to save her. She was pronounced dead at the scene.”

Officials confirmed the unnamed woman was on vacation and staying at a resort hotel when she died.

She hit a wooden barrier separating the road from the chasm on the other side and was thrown from the scooter during the accident

Spokesperson, Benidorm City Council

“Firefighters were dispatched to the emergency room with multiple vehicles, with the primary goal of rescuing the injured as quickly as possible,” reported information.es.

“Upon arrival, the firefighters collaborated with local Benidorm police troops and SAMU health technicians, who carried out resuscitation techniques on a woman, without obtaining positive results.”

The news comes as Spanish police are reportedly seeking to crack down on Britons riding mobility scooters after seeing a surge in popularity sparked by the benidorm TV comedy.

Last month it was reported that British tourists could face fines of over £400 for improper use of scooters after an investigation claimed some Britons had lied about having a disability in order to to hire.

According to a mobility scooter rental company in the resort, around 80% of its customers are British tourists.

A corporate whistleblower said Olive press: “The British often lie in use because they do not meet the conditions to obtain a scooter.”

Another worker claimed: ‘Most of them are young Brits who want to use it to go clubbing to escape the cost of a taxi.’

Only over 55s are allowed to rent the scooters, unless they have mobility issues.

Some younger renters falsely claimed they were buying the scooter for an older relative, while others allowed unauthorized people to ride them.

Residents of Benidorm have complained that some tourists break speed limits in the resort, while others use them in no-go areas.

“A campaign has been launched to inform establishments that rent these vehicles to ensure they comply with municipal regulations and the police are also monitoring the people who use them,” said a spokesperson for the council.

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