A serious accident occurred during the Rally Islas Canarias in the town of Anzo, Gran Canaria, resulting in injury and loss of life among spectators. A 19-year-old man identified as José OS was hit when a Toyota Starlet left the road and collided with two teenagers during the third stage of the event. He was quickly transported from the scene and later underwent surgery for multiple hip injuries. By the following day, he remained hospitalized but able to communicate with family members after the procedure. The body of the deceased, identified as Alexia GS, was taken to a funeral home in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and is expected to be cremated at 1:30 PM the next day.
The head of the Las Palmas Automobile Federation, Miguel Ángel Domínguez, described the incident as a case of bad luck, noting that when a car loses control it is difficult to predict how to respond. He observed that the two young people were seated on a raised mound of earth about three meters above the road. Domínguez explained that there is no formal rule setting a minimum height for spectator viewing areas, but he added that safety improves when people are elevated away from the asphalt.
Rally Islas Canarias had reinforced safety measures this year to protect the event’s European Rally Championship score. Spectators were advised to remain at least 2.5 meters above ground level as a precaution, a guideline reportedly followed by José OS and Alexia GS. Domínguez also noted that the rally required a mobile intensive care unit with a doctor and an additional ambulance at each stage, given the event’s extensive medical needs and equipment. The Comarca Norte Gran Canaria route featured three special segments in this edition.
Domínguez stressed that organizers, federations, and teams worked hard to keep spectators safe and that substantial efforts were made to ensure high safety standards at rallies. He added that while safety measures are strong, the incident appears to be isolated and accidental, and no one can guarantee absolute safety in every scenario. He also said he did not know when such a tragedy last affected motorsport in Gran Canaria.
The motor racing community has been in mourning since the accident in Gáldar. The Royal Spanish Automobile Federation extended condolences to the families and the broader Canary motorsport community, expressing its sympathy publicly. The Canarian Automobile Federation also offered messages of sorrow for the loss experienced by the local rally family, acknowledging the impact on fans and participants alike. These expressions of support reflect a shared commitment to recognizing the human side of sport and the importance of ongoing safety improvements for future events. (Source attribution: national and regional motorsport federations)