Josué Barrera, a 41-year-old drift driver, tragically lost his life yesterday (Sunday) at the Tarajalillo circuit in Maspalomas, located in the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana in Gran Canaria. The accident occurred around 4:30pm during a private drifting exhibition.
Barrera was performing in a BMW E30 Pick Up when he lost control of the vehicle on a straight section of the track. The car overturned and collided with a wall in front of the grandstand, where spectators were watching.
Immediate medical assistance was provided by the event's medical staff, and ambulances from the Canary Islands Emergency Service (SUC) arrived quickly at the scene. Local police from San Bartolomé de Tirajana, along with the Judicial and Scientific Police of the National Police, also responded. Despite their efforts, Barrera could not be revived.
Preliminary investigations suggest that Barrera, a Gran Canaria resident from San Fernando with significant experience in drifting and familiarity with the circuit, might have lost control while executing a drift manoeuvre which led to the car’s roof hitting the wall and causing a fatal head injury.
The event, named the Trackday Drift Show, featured multiple drifting exhibitions with amenities such as food trucks, beverages, rest tents, and shops. It was a unique demonstration held exclusively at this circuit within the Canary Islands.
Investigations continue to uncover the exact causes of this tragic accident.
