A British mother-of-three has died in Spain, while her partner is still battling for his life, after the couple were caught in a devastating wildfire.
Lisa Fryett and Simon Batchelor, both from Essex, were on holiday near Bédar when the deadly Almería blaze tore through the Los Gallardos area of southern Spain on July 9.
By the following morning, emergency teams had discovered at least 13 people dead and several others injured. Among those found critically wounded on the mountainside were Lisa and Simon.
The Almería wildfire became Spain’s third deadliest on record. Four other British nationals were among the victims, found dead inside a burned-out car after apparently attempting to escape along mountain roads. Many of those killed were foreign visitors.
Despite suffering catastrophic injuries, the couple managed to hold on, pleading with rescuers to save them so they could see their children again.
Lisa’s sons, Alfie and Charlie, and Simon’s daughter travelled urgently to Spain to be at their parents’ side. They were joined by Lisa’s identical twin sister Carly, Carly’s fiancé Mark Witt, and his daughter Mia.
During Lisa’s final days, her loved ones were able to stay close, gathering around the couple’s hospital beds as doctors fought to save them.
But on July 28, Lisa died from her injuries, leaving her family devastated.
Her son Alfie, 20, paid tribute to his mother online, writing: ‘Words genuinely can’t describe how upset I am right now writing this… but yesterday we said goodbye to my beautiful mum.
Lisa Fryett tragically succumbed to her injuries last week after being caught up in a Spanish wildfire
She was found in a critical condition alongside her partner Simon Batchelor after the deadly Almería wildfire
The hillsides of Los Gallardos were decimated by the fire in early July
‘The best person ever you was my world I’m so grateful to be able to call you my mum and I will forever love you and I will cherish every memory I have with you.’
Mia Witt, daughter of Carly’s fiance Mark, set up a GoFundMe to raise money to help the family, which has so far attracted over £65,000.
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She said they were facing significant costs that were not covered by insurance.
Giving the heartbreaking update after Lisa’s death, she wrote: ‘It is with the deepest sadness that we share the heartbreaking news that our beautiful Lisa passed away on the 28th of July 2026, surrounded by her loving family in Spain.
‘Our hearts are completely broken, and there are simply no words to describe the pain we are feeling. Lisa fought so incredibly hard, and we are so grateful that her loved ones were able to be by her side, surrounding her with love until the very end.’
Some of the funds donated would help the family to give Lisa the ‘beautiful send off she truly deserves’, Mia said.
But she added that Simon remains in a critical condition, so asked for continued ‘love, support and prayers’.
Mia concluded: ‘From the bottom of our hearts thank you. Every donation, every share, every message and every prayer has meant more than words can ever express.
The Almería wildfire became Spain’s third deadliest ever after it killed at least 13 people
Cars on the mountainside were found completely burnt out – in one case with four Brits inside who had died while trying to escape
‘Your kindness has carried us through the darkest days of our lives, and we will never forget the love and support that has been shown to our family.’
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: ‘We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities.’
The Almería fire that engulfed Lisa and Simon resulted in at least 13 deaths, 17 injuries, and 1,300 evacuations.
It is the deadliest in the history of the province of Andalusia, and the third deadliest ever in Spain.
The cause of the fire has not been confirmed, but witnesses reported that a downed power line sparked a fire that quickly spread to nearby trees.
Andalusia’s health minister said after the fire first broke out: ‘Unfortunately, the decision of some people to take evacuation routes that weren’t those indicated by the emergency services and take an alternative route became a mortal trap.
‘There were two scenarios like that specifically. One was a vehicle in which four people died, with everything pointing to them being of British origin.
‘Then another seven people died in another scenario. They were walking and had abandoned their cars and were probably looking for a way out. But they had taken a route which wasn’t the one indicated by the emergency services and the consequences have been terrible.’
