During a rally event in Cangas del Narcea, Asturias, a motorist was seriously injured when his vehicle collided with a wall. The incident prompted a rapid response from local emergency services as well as a coordinated medical evacuation to a regional hospital. The driver, who sustained multiple traumas, was assessed and stabilized on scene before transport arrangements were made to ensure the fastest possible access to advanced care.
Responders from the Principality of Asturias Emergency Service Rescue Group (SEPA) were alerted to the scene after a 12:25 call from the incident location. Upon arrival, responders observed a rally car visibly damaged, with the vehicle having struck a barrier and the driver reportedly unable to exit without assistance. Firefighting teams from the Southwest District and SEPA Firefighters stationed at Tebongo park executed a swift operation to reach the vehicle, assess the risk of fire, and begin extrication procedures.
Fire crews quickly fought the incident fire using extinguishers as a precautionary measure and proceeded to cut the car’s roof to access the driver. Once the passenger compartment was opened, rescuers carefully stabilized the injured competitor on a backboard to prevent further harm during removal. The priority was to minimize movement of potential spinal injuries while maintaining airway, breathing, and circulation until professional medical care could be delivered.
As rescue teams worked, medical personnel from the on-scene health team provided initial treatment to the driver. After basic stabilization, the decision was made to transfer the patient by road to a hospital, leveraging the combined efforts of the firefighting crews and the SEPA Rescue Group to clear debris and ensure a safe, direct route to the emergency department. This coordinated approach reduced transition time and allowed clinicians at the hospital to receive the patient promptly for advanced diagnostics and care.
Transportation to hospital was prioritized to enable rapid access to specialized services. The medical evacuation plan included coordination with a medevac helicopter operated by the Asturias Fire Service, providing an additional layer of rapid transport if road conditions or patient status warranted faster delivery to a higher-level facility. Through careful planning and teamwork, the incident demonstrated the readiness of regional emergency networks to respond to high-stress motorsport incidents and deliver timely medical care to seriously injured drivers.
Authorities emphasized that ongoing assessments and further testing would be conducted as part of the medical evaluation to determine any hidden injuries and to guide treatment decisions. The incident highlighted the importance of integrated emergency response units, including fire services, SEPA, and hospital teams, working in concert to safeguard life and reduce the risk of long-term complications for athletes within high-speed competitive settings.