A tourist from Canada died after a fatal fall following an attempted robbery in Barcelona, authorities said. The incident occurred in the early hours near the Ronda Litoral, when a group of thieves attempted to rob three friends who were visiting the city. The trio was attacked just before six in the morning as they walked in the area, and they broke up in a panic while fleeing. Seconds later, the Canadian 25-year-old man was found unconscious after plummeting about five meters to the road level. Investigators have not ruled out any possibility, including the notion that he fell during the chase, and they are keeping all hypotheses open as they review the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Investigators from the Sant Martí investigative unit reviewed nearby surveillance footage and collected witness statements from several people who said they did not see how the fall happened. One driver of a truck, who had to stop to avoid hitting the man, and a taxi driver who provided assistance to the youth gave statements. Traffic was diverted to prevent other vehicles from hitting the victim. The young man was transported to Hospital del Mar by ambulance and died hours later as a result of his injuries.
taxi driver version
The taxi driver, identified here as Saray, and her spouse, both drivers by trade, described the morning scene. They were on duty around five o’clock when they observed a truck abruptly brake, prompting them to stop as well to check on the situation. They reported seeing a young man unconscious and with a head injury but still breathing. Saray explained that her husband remained with the vehicle while she redirected traffic toward the left to keep the area clear. Emergency services were called immediately, and the ambulance arrived swiftly. Two of the victim’s friends, one of whom spoke Spanish, were reportedly shaken but able to assist in the moments after the incident.
According to Saray, bystanders tried to approach the victim, but they were advised not to touch him. She noted that the friends had said they were on their way to a social gathering when the events unfolded, and that a group of thieves who attempted to rob them fled during the chaos.
trucker version
A truck driver who happened to be in the area at the time was filming a commercial near the scene. He described seeing a bump along the right-hand curb and quickly reacted by turning the wheel and braking. He stated that the young tourist lay face up on the pavement, with his feet toward the curb and his body spanning the lane. He reported calling emergency services and noted that, after asking about possible suspects, there were no further signs of anyone running away. He expressed concern that the victim had been abandoned by others who might have helped his situation.
ongoing investigation
Investigators in the Sant Martí district are pursuing leads about the thieves described by the victim’s two friends. Police sources indicated that there is no clear evidence at this time that those pursuing the man deliberately pushed him into the roadway. The possibility that the fall was accidental during the getaway is still being considered.
The young man reportedly traveled from Parc del Poblenou and, during the ensuing scuffle, crossed Salvador Espriu Street and a low fence that separated that street from the roundabout’s vehicle lanes, ending up in the traffic area where he fell to the ground. The inquiry centers on reconstructing the sequence of events and identifying anyone who may have contributed to his fall or the circumstances surrounding the incident.