TWO BRITISH WOMEN, 61 AND 41, KILLED WITH SEVEN DOGS IN HORROR CRASH IN ROMANIA

Two British women have died alongside seven dogs after a devastating multi-vehicle crash in western Romania.

The women, aged 61 and 41, were traveling in a UK-registered van carrying 10 dogs when the vehicle became involved in a violent collision on the DN6 road near Vălișoara, in Caraș-Severin County, close to Romania’s border with Serbia.

Seven of the dogs died in the crash, while three others survived and were taken into the care of Romanian veterinary authorities.

VAN CARRYING DOGS CRASHES INTO TRUCK

The crash happened at around 11:10 a.m. on September 24, 2026, outside Vălișoara.

According to preliminary findings released by Romanian police, the 61-year-old woman was driving the British-registered van from Orșova toward Caransebeș when, at around kilometer 442+400 of the DN6, the van crossed onto the opposite side of the road.

It then collided head-on with a truck-and-trailer combination registered in Dolj County.

The force of the impact triggered a chain reaction.

The first truck collided with another heavy vehicle registered in Timiș County, leaving the van trapped between the two large vehicles.

Another van traveling behind the Timiș-registered truck subsequently struck it from behind.

Emergency crews were called to the scene as the vehicles were left severely damaged. Firefighters used specialist rescue equipment to reach those trapped inside the wreckage.

TWO WOMEN DIED AT THE SCENE

The two women inside the British van were pronounced dead at the scene.

Romanian authorities identified them only by their ages — 61 and 41 — in their initial public statements.

The driver of one of the trucks, a 60-year-old man, was injured in the collision and received medical attention.

Other drivers involved in the crash were tested for alcohol and drugs, with the tests reported as negative.

Police continue to investigate the precise circumstances surrounding the collision.

SEVEN DOGS DID NOT SURVIVE

The van was carrying 10 dogs at the time of the crash.

Seven animals died as a result of the collision.

The surviving three dogs were taken over by Romania’s veterinary authorities for care. Animal protection officials were also notified following the crash.

The heartbreaking discovery added another layer of tragedy to an already devastating accident involving the two women.

A FOUR-VEHICLE PILE-UP

Images from the scene showed the British van badly crushed between heavy vehicles, with debris scattered across the roadway.

Romanian authorities initially described the incident as involving two trucks and the British-registered minibus, while local reports subsequently detailed the additional vehicle involved in the chain collision.

The DN6 was completely closed in both directions following the crash, with traffic diverted while emergency crews worked at the scene and investigators began examining the wreckage.

POLICE INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY

Investigators are now working to establish exactly why the British van crossed onto the opposite side of the road.

At this stage, Romanian police have described the crossing of the center line as part of their preliminary reconstruction, rather than announcing a final explanation for why it happened.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Authorities have not publicly suggested that alcohol or drugs were responsible, with the tests carried out on the surviving drivers returning negative results.

TRAGEDY STRETCHES FROM ROMANIA TO THE UK

The crash has left two British women dead thousands of miles from home and has also claimed the lives of seven dogs that were being transported in the same vehicle.

The three surviving dogs are now in Romanian care as investigators continue working to establish the full circumstances of the fatal collision.

For the families of the two women, the journey through Romania has ended in an unimaginable tragedy — while authorities continue piecing together what happened on the DN6 that morning.