The driver was clearly shaken but did not initially appear to have suffered any injuries.. Credit: Dilema / Creative Commons
An 82-year-old British driver escaped unhurt after being involved in a spectacular accident on January 11 at the Portet d’Orba, in the inland area of the Costa Blanca.
The octogenarian, who lives in Parcent, was travelling along the road linking Parcent and Orba when he was descending the Portet d’Orba, a stretch known for its very tight hairpin bend. For reasons still under investigation, his vehicle — a Mercedes — left the road, smashed through two stone blocks of the roadside parapet and fell from a height of around four metres.
Vehicle left in a precarious position
The driver was clearly shaken but did not initially appear to have suffered any injuries. The car came to rest in a very unstable position, with a real risk of sliding further down the slope, while the man attempted to get out of the vehicle.
The accident occurred shortly after 10.00am, on a day when this inland road was particularly busy with cyclists due to the first stage of the Volta a la Marina, which started in Teulada and included the Portet d’Orba as one of its climbs. Several cyclists waiting by the roadside witnessed the crash.
Quick action by bystanders and emergency services
Motorcyclists who arrived at the scene almost immediately managed to help the driver out through the front passenger-side window. Together, they secured the vehicle to prevent it from plunging further down the embankment, as removing the driver quickly was considered essential given the danger.
Soon afterwards, a patrol from Orba Local Police and another from the Guardia Civil arrived, along with firefighters from the Alicante Provincial Fire Consortium and paramedics from a Basic Life Support ambulance. The medical team attended to the elderly driver, who was dazed but ultimately emerged safe and sound from the dramatic accident.
Similar incidents on inland roads
Similar accidents have been recorded in recent years on winding inland roads across the Marina Alta and other mountainous areas of Spain, particularly on stretches with sharp bends and steep drops. Despite the dramatic nature of many of these incidents, serious injuries are often avoided thanks to improved vehicle safety systems, better road barriers and faster emergency response times.
Spain has also seen a notable increase in the number of drivers aged over 80 who remain active behind the wheel. Many older motorists continue driving safely due to regular medical checks, mandatory licence renewals and advances in car technology, including stability control, assisted braking and reinforced vehicle structures, all of which significantly reduce the severity of accidents.
Safer roads for an ageing population
In addition, the overall improvement in road infrastructure over recent decades has played a key role in protecting vulnerable drivers. Better road surfaces, clearer signage and upgraded safety features on rural and mountain roads have helped ensure that even when accidents occur, the consequences are often far less serious than they would have been in the past.