A speedboat, suspected to be involved in drug trafficking, triggered a disastrous crash on the RM-12 motorway near La Manga resort in Murcia, Spain on November 16, 2024. The accident led to the death of two British men, identified as P.D., 49, and J.W., 57, and left another, I.P., 54, critically injured.
The victims found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time as they were driving in a Seat Leon for a golf trip. The 32-foot “narco lancha” speedboat, designed for high-speed smuggling operations, came loose from its trailer and hit their vehicle.
The incident triggered a six-vehicle pileup, leaving eight others with minor injuries. It took emergency teams half an hour to extract the trapped occupants of their vehicles. Four individuals, two women aged 18 and 55, and two men aged 19 and 29, were taken to a hospital in Cartagena for treatment.
The unregistered speedboat, powered by twin 300-horsepower engines, is a type frequently used in drug smuggling. Authorities believe it was being moved to a local beach to carry out smuggling activities. The SUV that was towing the speedboat abandoned both the boat and the vehicle before fleeing the scene. Surveillance footage is currently under review to identify the suspect.
A representative from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office commented on the situation, “We are supporting the families of three British nationals following a road traffic incident in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities,” according to news.sky.com.
Meanwhile, Spanish authorities have started a manhunt to apprehend the suspect. They are also scrutinizing footage from traffic cameras and local businesses. The motorway was shut down for three hours as investigators worked on the scene.
