The authorities believe an 81-year-old woman living in Vilagarcía was exposed to an illness that day. A case of alleged negligence and damages is being examined as part of the investigation. Civil Guard and Judicial Police officers from the Cambados station carried out a visual survey of the vicinity in the morning. The woman gave her account at the scene and was advised to confirm her statement on site. The driver lost control as she left the party venue, pulling 18 people into the path of a tent’s supporting bar and a tree before halting the vehicle.
The investigation must also clarify several points, especially what the car driven by Digna Díaz and the vehicle’s occupants were doing near the festival site. The road nearby was blocked, and the area handling a large volume of parked cars created a tight space that complicated access for emergency crews, particularly the firefighters. The scene was congested and challenging to reach in time.
Most of the 18 injured were treated at the festival grounds for minor injuries, while ambulances carried nine people to medical facilities. Six were admitted to the Emergency Department of the Pontevedra Hospital Complex. Four individuals, aged 36, 15, 42, and 43, were discharged shortly after. A 26-year-old woman sustained a dislocated patella, and a 66-year-old woman remained under intensive care due to severe multiple traumas.
One seriously injured person was taken to O Salnés Hospital, while another was admitted to Álvaro Cunqueiro Hospital in Vigo. The most seriously affected victim is a child under 12 from Corón, who was transferred to the Hospital Clínico de Santiago with critical abdominal bleeding.
The area where the party took place was crowded with spectators watching the Orquesta París de Noia perform, with about ninety minutes left in the show. The artists, from the stage, urged cooperation with emergency crews and then the organizers decided to suspend the event.
Visual inspection and witness statements will be handled by the Judicial Police of Cambados, while the Vilagarcía court will forward the case to the Traffic Safety Guards for further inquiry.
An old habit
Luis Falcón, known locally as Falconetti, has lived in Vilagarcía for years but still has ties to his San Miguel de Deiro roots and often attends the festivities. The longtime resident, who has mobility challenges, and his wife were seen parking their car near a garage access ramp in front of the festival grounds.
From that vantage, they watched the performances without leaving the vehicle, creating a risky situation. This had been a frequent practice, including last Sunday, but that day it ended in tragedy when the woman lost control and struck 18 people, hitting the tent and a tree.
Durán: a tragic accident, awaiting hospital updates
Vilanova mayor Gonzalo Durán spoke about the events at the San Miguel de Deiro festival. He expressed concern and said hospital updates would guide the next steps, especially regarding the Corón child who remains in critical condition. He stressed there was no malicious intent and that alcohol or drug influence is not suspected in this case. He highlighted the festival committee’s consistent support and its adherence to required permits for such events. He questioned how the vehicle could access a restricted area, suggesting possible involuntary acceleration and inadequate supervision. Durán emphasized that the injured deserve the fullest care and a speedy recovery.
Several local parties shared condolences on social media, wishing a quick recovery for all affected.