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British drunk driver kills baby and injures 6 others in Lanzarote
The authorities have confirmed that the 23-year-old driver is a UK citizen residing in Spain
A horrific accident occurred on Monday March 11 in the popular tourist resort of Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, when a drunk driver mowed down a group of holidaymakers, killing a five-month-old baby and injuring six others.
According to local officials, the driver, a 23-year-old British woman who resides on the island, was driving erratically and at high speed when she lost control of her vehicle and mounted the footpath, striking the group of pedestrians. The baby's parents and grandparents were among those injured, with the father and grandmother suffering the most severe injuries.
It's understood that this family of five is from the UK while the other injured victims are a mother and daughter from Sweden.
Eyewitnesses reported that the motorist claimed to have experienced a problem with her steering, but several people at the scene also stated that she was driving too fast.
Town hall officials later revealed that the driver had tested positive for alcohol and drugs, leading to her arrest.
The tragic incident occurred just before 6.30pm local time on a main road near the Aqualava waterpark and four-star HL hotel. Emergency services quickly responded to the scene, where they found the stricken holidaymakers and a badly damaged Ford Fiesta with apparent bloodstains on the bonnet.
The driver is expected to appear in court in the next day or two, pending a formal arrest. The court hearing will take place behind closed doors, as is customary in Spain, where only trials are held in public. An investigating magistrate will determine whether to remand the driver in custody or release her on bail pending an ongoing investigation.
Local authorities have not released the driver's name, confirming only her nationality, age and residence in Playa Blanca. Sources suggest that she works in the area.
The mayor of Playa Blanca, Óscar Noda, described the incident as "very delicate and very traumatic," expressing his condolences to the affected families.
Back in September, a British tourist badly injured seven holidaymakers, including a four-month-old baby girl, when he lost control of his rental car and ploughed into a packed cafe terrace in the Corralejo area of neighbouring Fuerteventura.
Image: Jorge Franganillo via Wikimedia Commons
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