British Tourist Killed in Benidorm Parasailing Accident

A British tourist has reportedly died after a terrifying parasailing accident in Benidorm while she was with her husband.

The 66-year-old woman is understood to have been thrown onto rocks after a powerful gust of wind caused the parasailing line connecting the parachute canopy to the towing boat to snap.

She suffered a cardiac arrest after hitting the rocks, and emergency attempts to save her following her transfer to Benidorm Port were unsuccessful.

She was later pronounced dead soon after arriving at Villajoyosa Hospital.

The 47-year-old man described as her husband survived the Benidorm parasailing accident, although he is believed to have sustained injuries including broken ribs and was reportedly described as “walking wounded”.

The tragedy occurred at around 6pm yesterday, as a sudden shift in weather conditions swept through the popular Costa Blanca resort and prompted officials to raise a red flag for swimmers.

Earlier that afternoon, an orange weather alert had been issued for Alicante province, which includes Benidorm, with forecasters warning of severe storms, large hail and dangerous gusts of wind.

Video shared online overnight appeared to capture the moment the couple were blown towards the rocks near Benidorm’s Rincon de Loix area as the dramatic incident unfolded.

The sky had gone from blue to an ominous black during the sudden weather change, and the hot and muggy conditions prevalent earlier in the day had been replaced by strong gusts of wind and rain.

Witnesses recounting the moments leading up to the incident described moments of anguish, as they saw the parasail spiral out of control following the line break and the couple head towards rocks.

One told local press: ‘It was clear they were going to crash.’

A police investigation into the incident has been launched and is ongoing.

Yellow flag weather conditions enabling the parasailing excursion to go ahead were in place when the boat went out to sea with the couple.

The probe is expected to focus on whether the accident was directly related to the anticipated sudden change in weather conditions.

Videos posted online showed tourists and locals fleeing the beach as the weather conditions suddenly changed around the time of the tragedy.

Beachgoers packed up their belongings and started running across the sand as storm clouds appeared.

Water sports companies in Benidorm typically offer holidaymakers parasailing outings for around £70, with the price dropping slightly for two people.

One firm advertises the excursions online by saying: ‘Fly over the bay of Benidorm from more than 150 metres above the sea with a unique view of Benidorm’s beaches and skyline.’

Another says: ‘Enjoy stunning views flying at over 150 metres high. You will take a boat ride with a drink included, with music and lots of entertainment.’

It comes as tributes have been paid to a ‘beautiful’ 16-year-old cheerleading coach, who died in a ‘terrible’ boat accident while on a family holiday in the Dominican Republic. 

Abbie Lainton, from Swindon, Wiltshire, died after a vessel burst into flames off the coast of the Caribbean island.

Two of her siblings, Carley and Bradley, were among more than 20 tourists ‘badly injured’ after the catamaran exploded into a fireball off Soana island on July 27 as it made its way back to Bayahibe.

Devastating images from the scene show the doomed vessel which was carrying 35 people become engulfed in flames and thick smoke.

Abbie reportedly suffered 60 per cent burns in the blast on the packed boat and although she was rushed to hospital, she sadly died three days later. 

The three children were understood to have been on the boat without their parents Gary and Rebecca Lainton.

The teenager coached athletes at the Swindon Lightning Cheerleading Club and was a former pupil at Tanwood School for Performing Arts, a youth musical theatre group.

A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said it is providing consular support to Abbie’s family and assisting other British nationals and their families affected by the incident.

It is in contact with the local authorities.

According to a fundraising page set up to raise money for Abbie’s family, the schoolgirl died on July 30 in a ‘terrible accident’.

She had been enjoying the summer with her friends and was looking forward to receiving her GCSE results, the page reads.

Those who live nearby to Abbie’s family in Swindon said they have lived there for ‘quite some time’ and have told of their shock at the news. 

One neighbour told the Mail: ‘I heard the two girls and the lad were on the boat and must have been near where it exploded.

‘It’s terrible. The young girl’s not too bad, she’s got a broken leg and her brother’s got some burns but he’s not too bad now. They’re all back in the UK now. I’ve known them for a long time. It’s heartbreaking.’

This is a breaking news story. More to follow