A retired couple from the Midlands, who were planning their return to the UK, tragically lost their lives after being trapped in their car during catastrophic flash floods in Spain.
A Fatal Journey for Supplies
Ex-pats Donald Turner, 78, and his wife Terry Turner, 74, originally from Burntwood, were reported missing to Spanish authorities on October 29, 2024. The couple had been driving to a petrol station for supplies when they attempted to cross a ford that was normally just one foot wide.
Tragically, a sudden and powerful surge of floodwater emerged from uphill, flipping their car onto its side and submerging the vehicle. The couple were found dead inside their car a few days later on November 2, 2024.
An Unprecedented Natural Disaster
The incident occurred during Spain's largest flooding catastrophe in decades. The Valencia region was battered by torrential rain, with nearly a year's worth of precipitation falling in just eight hours. The disaster claimed the lives of more than 230 people.
The 'catastrophic' aftermath transformed the usually narrow ford, expanding it to around 50 metres in length. Dr Miquel Solenne of the Medical Institute of Valencia confirmed the couple's cause of death was 'mechanical asphyxiation' after they became submerged.
Family Tributes and a Planned Return
At an inquest, the couple's daughters criticised Spanish authorities for failing to provide adequate warning about the massive floods. Coroner Andrew Barkley acknowledged the concern but noted the difficulty in predicting such flooding events, ultimately concluding the couple died as a result of misadventure.
The couple's daughter, Ruth O'Loughlin, paid a moving tribute, describing her parents as 'the best people' and 'the best parents anyone could have ever asked for'. Her sister, Renee Turner, revealed the poignant detail that their parents were planning to move back to the UK soon, having lived in Spain for 11 years, which made the tragedy even more heartbreaking.
