24-year-old man seriously injured in buggy accident in southern Gran Canaria

A 24-year-old man was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after falling from a buggy in southern Gran Canaria yesterday afternoon (Friday).

The accident happened off-road on a dirt track at Lomo de las Fuentes, in San Bartolomé de Tirajana. Emergency services received the call at 3.40pm alerting them to the incident.

The injured man had been travelling as a passenger in the buggy, and the circumstances of his fall have not been released.

Difficult terrain prompted helicopter rescue

Firefighters used four-wheel-drive vehicles to help the medical team reach the area. Paramedics treated and stabilised the injured man, but the combination of his injuries and the difficult terrain meant an air evacuation was needed.

A rescue helicopter lifted him from the location and took him to Maspalomas aerodrome. There, a medical helicopter team took over his care and flew him to Hospital Universitario Insular de Gran Canaria for further treatment.

No further update on the man’s condition has been released in the emergency report.

San Bartolomé de Tirajana includes the busy resorts of Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés as well as extensive inland countryside. The incident occurred on a difficult-access track, rather than a resort street.

Taking care on off-road trips

For anyone planning a buggy outing, follow the safety briefing, use the vehicle’s fitted restraints and keep arms and legs inside while moving. Drivers should adjust their speed to the surface and visibility.

In an emergency, call 112 and give the clearest location possible, ideally a map pin or GPS coordinates. On rural tracks, the nearest road junction or identifiable landmark can also help rescuers find you.