One dead after lorry overturns on motorway in Tenerife

One person has died and several others have been injured following a serious accident involving an overturned lorry and numerous vehicles on the TF-5 motorway in Tenerife this afternoon, near Somosierra on the approach to Santa Cruz, affecting traffic heading downhill towards the capital.

The lorry was carrying large bottles of water and overturned across the carriageway, scattering part of its load across all three lanes and bringing traffic to a standstill.

Several vehicles involved

The accident involved several other vehicles, with emergency services initially reporting at least two people injured.

One of those involved required cardiopulmonary resuscitation at the scene, but it was subsequently confirmed that one person had died.

The impact of the collision was significant enough for one of the vehicles involved to be displaced towards the TF-1 junction on the approach to Santa Cruz.

Two ambulances were deployed alongside firefighters, the Local Police, the Guardia Civil and Tenerife Cabildo Road Maintenance Crews.

Major disruption on the TF-5

The accident caused serious congestion on one of the principal routes into Santa Cruz, with all lanes towards the capital initially affected.

Police worked to establish a diversion lane to allow motorists trapped behind the accident to leave the motorway while emergency crews dealt with the vehicles and debris.

Early reports suggested the lorry may have experienced a braking problem, but this has not been officially established and the circumstances surrounding the accident remain under investigation.

Drivers travelling towards Santa Cruz were advised to expect significant delays while emergency and road crews continued working at the scene.