British tourist, 32, dies and over 20 holidaymakers injured in coach crash

17 October 2023 , 07:51

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The coach came off the road and rolled over before ending up on its side (Image: PNP)

A British tourist has died and more than 20 other holidaymakers have been injured in a coach crash in Peru.

The holidaymakers, many of them foreign nationals, were on their way to a popular destination called the Mountain of Seven Colours in the Peruvian Andes when the vehicle came off the road and rolled over several times before ending up on its side. A 32-year-old man, who police confirmed to be a British national, died in the incident after reportedly becoming trapped under the coach.

His body has been taken to a morgue in the town of Urcos. It was not immediately clear if his next of kin have been informed but police said they have informed consular officials. At least one other British traveller is said to be among the casualties. The driver, a 37-year-old, is being questioned by police.

The tragedy happened around 3pm local time on Sunday (9pm BST) near the locality of Tintinco in the district of Cusitapa on the road leading to the Mountain of Seven Colours. The tourist hotspot is a mountain in the Peruvian Andes at more than 17,000ft above sea level which is in the country’s Cusco Region.

Tourist access involves a two-hour drive from Cusco and a walk of around three miles or a three-and-a-half drive through Pitumarca followed by a 1.5 mile steep walk to the hill. The picturesque location is always known as Vinicunca or rainbow mountain and owes its colours to the sediment of minerals throughout the area.

Pictures from the scene showed the badly-damaged vehicle lying on its side with some of the injured being tended to on stretchers. Those who were the most badly hurt are said to have been taken to the city of Cusco, with the less seriously injured receiving medical attention at nearby health centres.

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The injured - totalling 28 according to police - are from a number of foreign countries including Britain, Spain and Brazil as well as Argentina, Chile, Poland and the Czech Republic, Some are also Peruvians. One unconfirmed local report said at least one British national - described as a 35-year-old woman - was among those hurt.

Cusco Police Chief Hanner Horna said: “We became aware of this terrible accident around 3pm on Sunday. We have been gathering information about who was involved in the accident and helping with transfers. Twenty-eight people were hurt and have been taken to hospital.”

Some of the casualties suffered broken bones. The police chief added: "The tourist who died was a British man. He was taken to a local morgue. We have informed the British Consulate and consular officials are now doing their work."

Gerard Couzens