BRITISH TOURIST, 66, DIES IN BENIDORM PARASAILING TRAGEDY AS TWO MEN FACE INVESTIGATION

A 66-year-old British tourist died after a parasailing accident off the coast of Benidorm, Spain, and two men are now under investigation following a police inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

Beverley White was taking part in a tandem parasailing flight with a 47-year-old man when a sudden change in weather hit the popular Costa Blanca resort on August 10.

According to Spain’s Guardia Civil, the pair were being towed by a speedboat when the cable connecting their parachute to the vessel broke.

Strong winds then carried the parachute and the two people across the sea before they fell into the water.

Beverley was seriously injured and later died in hospital.

The man who was with her was also seriously injured but his injuries were not considered life-threatening.

SUDDEN CHANGE IN WEATHER

The accident happened at around 6pm near the Rincón de Loix area of Benidorm.

Earlier reports said the weather had changed suddenly, with dark storm clouds and powerful gusts moving across the resort.

The Guardia Civil said investigators examined the weather conditions at the time of the accident, including the deteriorating conditions and strong gusts of wind.

Local reporting said a yellow coastal-weather warning was in place when the excursion took place. Later, conditions worsened considerably.

Witnesses described seeing the parasail being carried away from the boat after the tow cable broke.

The speedboat attempted to follow the pair, but the strong winds carried the parachute across the water toward the rocky coastline.

Dramatic footage recorded from the shore showed the speedboat apparently racing after the pair as the parachute was dragged across the sea.

One witness described seeing the parachute spin out of control as the wind carried it toward the rocky area around Cala del Tío Ximo.

BEVERLEY SUFFERED CARDIAC ARREST

After the pair fell into the sea, emergency services were called.

Beverley suffered multiple injuries and went into cardiac arrest.

Paramedics treated her at the scene and continued efforts to revive her as she was taken for further medical care.

She was transported to Hospital Marina Baixa in Villajoyosa, near Benidorm.

Despite medical efforts, she later died in hospital.

The 47-year-old man was also taken to hospital for treatment. His injuries were described as serious but not life-threatening.

At the time, the Guardia Civil confirmed that both victims were British nationals and that officers had begun investigating what had happened.

Beverley’s inquest was subsequently opened and adjourned at Cornwall’s Coroners’ Court in Truro.

A full hearing is expected to take place at a later date.

POLICE INVESTIGATION REVEALS DISPUTE OVER BOAT OPERATOR

The latest investigation has raised questions not only about the weather and the accident itself, but also about who was actually operating the speedboat.

According to the Guardia Civil, a person connected with the company responsible for the parasailing activity initially identified himself to investigators as the boat’s skipper.

He later acknowledged that he had not actually been in command of the vessel when the accident happened.

Investigators said he then identified another employee as the person who was operating the boat.

Police determined that the second man had the qualifications and training required to act as skipper.

However, investigators said he was not officially listed as crew with the company at the time of the accident.

The discovery led investigators to place two people under formal investigation.

One man is being investigated over alleged offences relating to the death and injuries arising from the accident.

The second is being investigated over an alleged offence of concealment connected to the initial identification of the person in command.

Neither man has been arrested, according to the latest reports.

They are expected to be summoned to appear before a court in Benidorm, where a judge will consider the case.

The investigation does not mean either man has been found guilty of an offence.

THE COMPANY HAS NOT COMMENTED

The parasailing company involved in the excursion has declined to comment on the tragedy.

Investigators have been examining the circumstances surrounding the accident, including the weather conditions and the operation of the boat.

The investigation was carried out by the Territorial Judicial Police Team based in Altea.

The Guardia Civil has now sent its findings to the investigating section of the Benidorm court.

A HOLIDAY THAT ENDED IN TRAGEDY

The parasailing trip had begun as a holiday activity off the coast of one of Spain’s most popular resorts.

Beverley and her companion took part in the tandem flight from the Benidorm area before the sudden weather change transformed the situation.

Witnesses said the weather appeared to deteriorate rapidly.

As the wind strengthened, the parachute became separated from the boat and was carried toward the coastline.

People watching from the beach and nearby hotels could see the emergency unfolding but were unable to intervene.

The incident has since prompted a detailed investigation into the weather conditions, the equipment and the operation of the boat.

Authorities will ultimately determine whether any offences were committed and whether further legal action should follow.

For Beverley’s family and friends, the investigation comes after the devastating loss of a woman who had travelled to Spain for a holiday but never returned home.

Her death remains the subject of both the Spanish investigation and the ongoing UK coronial process.