A BRITISH baby has died after a “drunken and drugged” driver crashed into a group of pedestrians in Lanzarote, officials said.
The parents and grandparents of a five-month-old child and a mother and daughter from Sweden were also injured after the vehicle crossed the road in the popular resort of Playa Blanca.
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Tragedy struck the popular British holiday spot on Monday nightCredit: Solarpix
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Five-month-old child killed in horrific accident in LanzaroteCredit: Solarpix
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Two women were seriously injured, and three other people were moderately injuredCredit: Solarpix
The child’s father and grandmother were the most seriously injured, officials said.
The British woman is under investigation for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs after the accident that happened on Monday around 18:30 local time.
A spokesman for Yaizeh Town Hall said: “Two people from Sweden, a mother and a daughter, were injured.
“Four people from Great Britain were injured along with the baby who died.
“Among the injured are the young man’s mother and father, as well as the baby’s two maternal grandparents.
“The most seriously injured are the baby’s father and the baby’s grandmother.”
The gender of the child has not yet been revealed.
The mayor of Yaiza, Oscar Noda, confirmed that all four Britons were injured in yesterday’s accident and are still in hospital today.
The city hall declared two days of mourning and organized a minute of silence.
Mr Noda said: “The accident caused seven casualties, including a five-year-old baby who died.
“The survivors came from two families, one from Sweden and the other from Britain.
“They are the parents of the child who died and the baby’s maternal grandparents.
“This morning, the baby’s father and maternal grandmother are in the worst condition. All the survivors are still in the hospital.
“We hope everyone recovers.”
Mr. Noda added that two days of mourning will be declared and that a minute of silence will be held at the door of the town hall tomorrow at noon.
He said: “A British family were walking along the pavement in a proper and normal way when they were mowed down by a completely out of control vehicle.
“The moments that followed were very delicate and very traumatic.”
Officials at Yaize Town Hall said the driver was a 23-year-old woman who lives on the Spanish island.
They say: “Victims of multiple accidents were a baby who died and six people who received injuries of varying degrees.
“The person who caused the accident is a 23-year-old woman of British origin who lives in Playa Blanca.
“She is under investigation because she showed signs of being under the influence of alcohol and drugs at the scene.
“The investigation, conducted by the local police of Yaiza, remains open. Yaize City Hall expresses its solidarity with the victims and their families.”
The horrific accident happened at a bend in the main road near the Aqualava Water Park and the four-star HL Hotel.
It is understood that the driver of the car told the police that she had problems with the steering wheel.
Witnesses told police they thought she was speeding, but there was no mention of drink or drugs in their statements.
A City Hall spokesperson confirmed that the woman tested positive for both drink and drugs at the scene.
He added: “The driver is not currently in custody. She lives on the island and can be found at her address if necessary.”
His whereabouts are unknown this morning, but he is expected to appear in court today or tomorrow after being formally arrested.
The court hearing would take place behind closed doors, which is normal in Spain where only trials are held in public.
The investigating judge should decide whether to keep her in custody or release her on bail pending the ongoing investigation.
The island authorities have not yet named her, they have only confirmed her nationality, age and that she lives in Playa Blanca.
One well-placed source said she worked in the area.
Another said: “She tested positive for both alcohol and drugs, but police have not released any details on the amounts.”
A police spokesman previously said: “We are not yet in a position to release information about the nationalities and ages of the victims, but what I can say is that we are not talking about one family.
“It is an area that is popular with pedestrians and it was not just one group of members of the same family that was affected. Different groups were involved.”
The emergency coordination center run by the regional government said: “The incident occurred at 18:22 local time.
“A five-month-old baby died, and six people received various injuries.
“During assistance at the scene, two women suffered serious multiple injuries… and were transferred to the Doctor Jose Molina Orosa Hospital in the island’s capital, Arrecife.
“Two other women with several medium-level multiple injuries, as well as two men with injuries to their lower limbs, were transported to the same hospital.
“Seven ground ambulances were dispatched to the scene and an air ambulance was mobilized due to the seriousness of the incident along with a doctor and nurse from the Playa Blanca Health Center.
“Other responders included firefighters, Civil Protection personnel, local police and the Civil Guard.”
Yaiza Town Hall, which is responsible for Playa Blanca, said: “Yaiza Town Hall expresses its solidarity with the victims and their families after a large number of people were run over in Playa Blanca this evening.
“Our full respect for the ongoing investigation by the authorities and our gratitude to the security forces and emergency services involved in dealing with this tragic incident.”
Playa Blanca, White Beach in Spanish, is the southernmost town in Lanzarote, approximately 40 minutes’ drive from the island’s airport.
The coastline around Playa Blanca is essentially one large six-mile wide bay which then splits into three smaller but still large bays.
Just last month, an 83-year-old British tourist died after being run over by a bus in Lanzarote.
She was rushed to hospital in a “critical” condition after being hit by a vehicle in the popular Costa Teguise resort on February 21 and was stabilized at the scene.
And last September, two Britons were among seven injured when a British tourist drove his hire car into a crowded Spanish cafe on the neighboring Canary island of Fuerteventura.
The drama unfolded when the car veered off the road and hit an outdoor restaurant in the tourist center of Corralejo.
Among the victims is a four-month-old girl.
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Consequences of a tragic accident Credit: Solarpix
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