British tourists die in Canaries heatwave
A British holidaymaker has died of a suspected heart attack during a heatwave in the Canary Islands after taking part in a trek organised by the UK’s largest walking holiday operator.
Temperatures in parts of the Canaries have rocketed to 40 degrees in the past few days and weather warnings have been in place since last week advising people to avoid strenuous exercise.
Wendy Richardson, aged 78, died 40-minutes into a tour with specialist operator HF Holidays on Sunday.
Two other women in their 60s, who were also on the two-hour trek, were airlifted to hospital, but have since been released.
The company, based in Hertfordshire, said it was investigating the incident that happened during a walk to a reservoir near the Presa del Salto del Perro in the south of Gran Canaria. Further hikes on the island have been suspended until September 22.
HF head of holidays Steve Backhouse has flown to Gran Canaria to provide support to the operator’s guests. He said he was working with the Spanish authorities to ascertain exactly what happened. A spokeswoman for the company said this was likely to take some time as statements had been taken from many different sources.
Backhouse expressed sympathy for those involved in the incident and their families and friends.
The spokeswoman added: "Everyone is hugely grateful to the rescue services in Gran Canaria for their speedy response to the call for help and for the care they bestowed upon those who were taken to hospital for treatment."
Spanish civil guards are believed to have questioned two guides working for HF Holidays, according to the Telegraph, including a 66-year-old British man who was leading the group.
A second British tourist, 74-year-old Willoughby Chaffey, died during a hike on the Spanish island when he reportedly fell into a ravine. He had been walking with his wife in the north of the island.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: ”We can confirm the deaths of two British nationals in two separate incidents in Gran Canaria on May 13.
”We are providing consular assistance to the families.”
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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