Police Investigating Following Crash As Minibus Leaves Road Down a Large Drop

A 69-year-old holidaymaker from Leeds is taking legal action after she was left with serious injuries when a minibus taking her to the airport in Fuerteventura at the end of her holiday left the road and overturned, rolling several times down a large drop.

Marlene De Dominicis had been enjoying a holiday with her sister on the Canary Island in December last year when on the way home their minibus, owned by a local company and subcontracted by Hoppa (Resorthoppa (UK) Limited), an airport coach transfer company, unexpectedly left the road falling down a very steep cliff-side drop. 

Marlene sustained fractured vertebrae during the accident on 11 December 2016. She was taken to a local hospital where she was given a body brace to wear for four months during which time she was off work. 

On her arrival back in her hometown of Leeds, Marlene had to stay with her daughter, who lives nearby, whilst she recovered from her injuries. She was forced to give up her job of 26 years as an office manager and is no longer able to pursue her love of dancing due to her injuries. 

Now Marlene has instructed specialist international personal injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the cause of the crash and to help support her recovery and rehabilitation from her injuries.

Daniel Matchett, an expert international personal injury solicitor at Irwin Mitchell representing her, said: 

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“Marlene had enjoyed her holiday but the crash on the way home left her suffering really serious injuries which could have been life-threatening.

“She has been through a terrifying ordeal and had to wear a body brace for four months. It is important that we find out exactly what happened. Luckily, she was wearing a seatbelt, otherwise it could have been much worse.

“Marlene understandably now wants to know what happened and whilst our investigations are on-going, the police did attend the scene and we have obtained a copy of their records.

“Those records reveal that the driver of the mini-bus admitted to police that the accident was caused as a result of him falling asleep at the wheel. As a result of that admission, criminal proceedings have been commenced against the driver in Spain.” Daniel Matchett - Associate Solicitor

Marlene, who worked in financial services but has been forced to retire by her injuries, said: “At the end of an enjoyable holiday, I was actually looking forward to getting home.  We had booked a private mini-bus transfer to the airport as we thought it would be convenient and hassle-free.  However, everything changed when the accident happened.  It was terrifying and completely unexpected.

“I was left with serious injuries to my back and neck and to find out afterwards that this was caused by a careless driver just adds insult to injury. I want to know what happened so that lessons can be learned and hopefully it will not happen to others in future.”

Anyone who may have information about the crash is asked to get in touch with Daniel Matchett at Irwin Mitchell on 0161 838 3178 or email Daniel.Matchett@IrwinMitchell.com. 

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in holiday accident claims.