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Inquest Rules Valencia Flood Deaths of British Couple as Misadventure

The coroner cited mechanical asphyxiation, saying evidence was too sparse to judge whether earlier warnings would have changed the outcome.

Overview

  • Donald Turner, 78, and Terry Turner, 74, expatriates from Burntwood, Staffordshire, were found dead in their car on November 2, 2024 after flash flooding in Valencia.
  • They were reported missing on October 29, 2024 as nearly a year’s rain fell in about eight hours during a disaster reported to have caused more than 230 deaths.
  • The couple were driving to a nearby petrol station and attempted to cross a one-foot ford when a sudden uphill surge flipped their vehicle and left them submerged.
  • Family members questioned the adequacy of Spanish flood warnings, but the inquest recorded misadventure and noted the limited evidence available from Spain.
  • Relatives said the retirees had lived in Spain for about 11 years and were preparing to return to the UK.