Date Published: 19/01/2026
Woman killed by own car in tragic San Javier accident
Tow truck driver started vehicle in gear during roadside assistance callout
A 79-year-old woman died tragically in Roda, San Javier on Friday afternoon after being run over by her own car during a roadside assistance call. The accident happened just before 4pm on Carlos I Street in a quiet residential area of terraced houses, when a tow truck driver tried to help her start her vehicle with a portable jump starter.According to witnesses and police sources, the woman had called for help after her car battery failed. The tow truck driver got into the vehicle to start the engine but did not realise it was still in first gear. As he turned the ignition, the car lurched forward and struck the woman who was standing directly in front. She became trapped between her car and the tow truck, ending up underneath the vehicle with severe head injuries.
Emergency services were alerted immediately. The Policía Local from San Javier, two mobile emergency units (one from San Javier Emergency Service and one from 061 Management), and firefighters from the Fire and Rescue Consortium of the Region of Murcia all rushed to the scene. By the time paramedics arrived, the woman was already in critical condition and could only be pronounced dead at the scene. She had suffered massive head trauma and was bleeding heavily.
Since the incident took place in an urban area, the investigation is being led by San Javier Policía Local, who are working to establish the full sequence of events. Guardia Civil officers attended to carry out an on-site inspection and confirm the accidental nature of the tragedy. A security protocol was activated, including notification of the coroner to authorise removal of the body.
Police sources confirmed that "the tow truck driver had stopped to help the woman, whose car battery had died," but started his vehicle unaware it was in gear. The sudden movement gave her no time to react. The case is being treated as a tragic accident, with no suggestion of anything other than an unfortunate error during what should have been a routine assistance call.
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