A British tourist has died in a parasailing accident in Benidorm, Spain, while on holiday with her husband. The 66-year-old woman reportedly fell onto rocks after a gust of wind caused a breakage in the line tethering the parasail to the towing boat.
The incident occurred around 6 p.m. local time on Tuesday. The woman suffered cardiac arrest upon impact and, despite efforts to revive her at Benidorm Port, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Her husband sustained injuries, including broken ribs, but was described as able to walk.
The accident happened near Benidorm’s Rincon de Loix area amid a sudden and dramatic change in weather conditions. An orange alert had been issued for the Alicante province, warning of severe storms, large hail, and dangerous wind gusts. A red flag was subsequently raised for bathers due to the weather.
Footage of the incident appears to show the couple spiraling towards the rocks as the weather deteriorated. Witnesses described seeing the parasail lose control. A police investigation is underway, focusing on whether the accident was related to the rapid shift in weather. Yellow flag conditions, which permit water sports, were reportedly in place when the parasailing excursion began.
Parasailing excursions in Benidorm typically cost around £70 for one person or slightly less for two, offering views from over 150 meters above the sea.