Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
Mijas’ emergency services carried out an impressive rescue in Puerto Colorado yesterday night. A man was trapped overnight in his vehicle, which had plunged into a cliff. The stretch of road, one of the trickiest and highest mountain passes that links Alhaurín el Grande and Mijas Pueblo, close to the Los Condes Venta restaurant, has seen its fair share of terrifying accidents. The crash barrier that was located on the roadside, overhanging the vertical drop, went missing for a few weeks last year.
Car rolls down hillside
The accident took place around 8pm Wednesday on the A-387, a winding road that runs through the Sierra de Mijas. It is known for its steep curves which can give you vertigo as well as the occasional lack of visibility. The Mijas Council and local media reported that the driver lost his control on one of the curves. This was possibly made worse by dense fog which limited visibility. The car then rolled down the steep embankment after breaking through the barrier. The vehicle rested on the slope and the occupant was left inside.
The man was not discovered until around 8.30am when a passerby – described by some as a hiker or walker – noticed the broken barricade, saw the wrecked cars below, went down to inspect, and confirmed that there was an injured person in the car. He immediately contacted emergency services using the emergency number 112.
Findn the next morning, suffering from hypothermia and alive
Mijas firefighters were immediately called in, with the support of local police and Guardia Civil. They also received assistance from medical teams and road maintenance crews. To remove the driver, a specialist mountain rescue operation was needed. The man, who was unconscious but conscious, suffered from chest pain and limb pain. There were also various injuries of different severity as well signs of hypothermia. The man was responsive when rescued and was stabilized before being transported to Hospital Costa del Sol.
Authorities in the area described the result as “miraculous”, stating that the driver survived after spending hours in the wreckage, on a steep and remote slope. No other vehicle was reported to have been involved. The cause of this crash is still being investigated. This incident highlights the dangers of the A-387, particularly in bad weather. It is a popular route for hikers to the Sierra de Mijas, but it has a history of vehicle accidents.
The road was made safer after the incident. Officials advise drivers to drive with extreme caution along this mountainous stretch.
