Lorraine Williamson
A weekend trip to northern Spain ended in tragedy when a car carrying four young people from Madrid veered off the road and plunged 300 metres into a ravine. The fatal accident occurred on the CA-643, a treacherous mountain pass in Cantabria known for sharp bends, poor maintenance, and missing guardrails.
The victims, two men and two women aged 20 and 21 were travelling to accommodation in the Valles Pasiegos region. A second car, carrying four of their friends, was ahead when the crash happened around 10.00 pm on Saturday. Their vehicle, a light grey Audi A3, left the road on a sharp bend and fell into the valley below.
Emergency services were alerted after an automatic distress signal was sent from a mobile phone inside the car. The Centro de Atención a Emergencias 112 del Gobierno de Cantabria received the alert at around 10.00 pm. This was automatically triggered by one of the occupants’ mobile phones upon detecting the impact.
Firefighters from the Villacarriedo emergency unit, Santander firefighters, and rescue technicians from the Government of Cantabria were immediately dispatched. However, locating the wreckage proved challenging due to darkness and difficult terrain. The first responders, including road maintenance teams, Guardia Civil officers, and medical personnel from 061, arrived shortly after the alert. Due to the severity of the crash and the inaccessibility of the area, additional teams were deployed. The recovery of the victims was authorised by the Guardia Civil at 1.25 am, after confirming all four occupants had died at the scene. The operation, carried out by a team of nine to ten people, lasted until 6.00 am as rescue teams worked to retrieve the bodies and document the incident.
A dangerous road with a history of accidents
The Lunada Pass, at an altitude of 1,317 metres, is one of Cantabria’s most hazardous routes. The winding mountain road lacks guardrails and runs alongside steep cliffs, making it particularly dangerous in bad weather. At the time of the crash, light snowfall, icy patches, and thick fog were reported. Despite these conditions, the road remained open to traffic.
Spain’s traffic safety reports list the CA-643 among the country’s most dangerous roads. Other high-risk routes in Cantabria, including sections of the N-634, have also been flagged for urgent safety improvements. Experts warn that without investment in infrastructure, accidents like this will continue.
Rising road fatalities across Spain
According to the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), 72 people lost their lives on Spain’s roads last month alone. This rise in fatalities has raised concerns about road conditions, enforcement of traffic laws, and the need for improved safety measures. The increase follows a worrying trend of deaths on rural and mountainous roads, where infrastructure is often outdated and lacks necessary protective barriers.
Public outcry over road safety failures
The crash has reignited debate over road safety in Spain. Social media users voiced frustration over the state of the CA-643, questioning why essential safety measures remain unimplemented.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote: “We all know this road is dangerous. How hard is it to install guardrails?” Meanwhile, others stressed that local drivers avoid it in winter due to the risk. “We people of Cantabria know that you shouldn’t go up there under any circumstances except in the middle of summer at 2.00 pm, and then with extreme caution. The views are spectacular, but it’s extremely dangerous. If you’re even a millimetre off track, it’s the end. Rip.”
Authorities acknowledge safety concerns
Cantabria’s traffic chief, José Miguel Tolosa, confirmed that weather conditions played a role in the crash. Eugenia Gómez de Diego, the government’s regional delegate, expressed condolences to the families and described the incident as Cantabria’s worst road accident in two decades.
Traffic fatalities in Spain have increased in recent years, with poor road maintenance cited as a contributing factor. Experts have called for better signage, protective barriers, and improved weather monitoring to prevent further tragedies.
Support for survivors and bereaved families
The four friends travelling in the second vehicle were unharmed but are receiving psychological support. The Government of Cantabria deployed a team of psychologists to provide immediate assistance to the survivors, who were taken to a rural accommodation near the accident site. After post-mortem examinations, the victims’ bodies will be transferred to Madrid.
Urgent action needed to prevent further tragedies
This accident has renewed calls for immediate improvements to the CA-643. Road users and local residents demand urgent action, including the installation of guardrails and clearer safety warnings. While it is too late for the four young Madrilenians, campaigners insist steps must be taken to prevent more lives being lost on this notorious stretch of road.