Tourists drowned on Mallorca holiday after being 'swept away by wall of water'

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2 days ago

A couple who were on holiday in Mallorca were 'swept away by a wall of water' during a rainstorm, an inquest has heard.
Sarah Thompson, 26, and Alex Johnson, 32, were walking in the Torrent de Pareis canyon in northern Mallorca when the tragedy struck on September 3, 2023. Inquests at Stockport Coroners' Court heard heavy rainfall sent a 'torrent of water' down the canyon, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The rest of the walking group managed to climb to safety, though Thompson and Barrett were swept away. Family and friends told the inquest that the couple loved the outdoors, and had a 'passion' for climbing and hiking.
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Mr Barrett's father Paul Rodman said his son was an experienced climbing instructor who loved hiking and surfing, 'loved life'.
"He was a good, caring person who achieved a lot in his short life," Mr Rodman added. "We now have a saying in our family: be more Alex. We miss him tremendously and take pride in everything he did."
Ms Thompson was a lover of running and swimming and was introduced to climbing by Mr Barrett. "He was a very good instructor who did not push Sarah beyond her limits," her father Peter Thompson told her inquest.
"She worked at the Christie Hospital processing donations and was very happy there. She loved her family and was never without a smile on her face."
Both inquests were read a statement from Paul Weaver, a friend of the couple who witnessed the tragedy. An experienced climbing instructor, he said he had completed the Torrent de Pareis canyon walk 'several times previously'.
"It can be challenging in places, with scrambles and small climbs," he added. "But I was confident it was well within their capabilities.
"I was aware that the gorge could flood. I checked the weather forecast in the morning and it said there was potential for rain at about 6pm. As we would all be clear of the gorge by then, there was no issue for us. Had I known what would happen, I never would have let them enter."
It was decided the rest of the group would enter the canyon from above while Mr Weaver would park further down then join them from below.
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"I started walking up the gorge at 1.45pm," Mr Weaver's statement added. "At about 2.30pm it started to drizzle but I was not concerned.
"It then began to rain more heavily and I could hear thunder in the distance. The rocks were becoming slippery and it soon became impossible to carry on."
Mr Weaver said he eventually found the group again at around 3.20pm. "I was so relieved to have found them - but then, the heavens opened," he added.
"We all had to pass through a bottle-neck between two boulders. Water was flowing past like a small river.
"I gestured to Sarah and asked if she was okay. She indicated 'yes' and gave me a nervous smile. But seconds later a massive wall of water came down the gorge as if from nowhere. I was shouting and screaming for the others but couldn't see Alex or Sarah."
Mr Weaver said his partner Sian Morris had seen the water 'hit Sarah hard', carrying her 'through the bottleneck'. "She glimpsed Alex in the water next to Sarah with a cut to his head," he added.
"The water was flowing fast and with many drops. I feared the worst for Alex and Sarah."
The group was eventually rescued by helicopter at about 6.30pm and quickly notified the couple's families, who then travelled to the island. The bodies of the couple were found by the authorities on September 4 and September 6 respectively.
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Assistant Coroner Jyoti Gill delivered a conclusion - for both Mr Barrett and Ms Thompson - of accidental death by drowning.
"Alex and Sarah shared a love of sports and rock climbing," she said. "They were making their way down a route which was known to be challenging in places. They had never attempted this before.
"A nearby storm had created flash floods sending a torrent of water through the gorge. They were unable to climb to safety and both were swept away by the flood waters.
"Due to the difficult terrain they were unable to climb to safety and were swept away. Sarah was dragged and Alex tried to help her but was dragged away by the current."
Ms Gill added that the findings of their respective post-mortems were 'consistent' with this conclusion, noting that there was 'no suggestion' of drugs or alcohol in either's system apart from 'traces of paracetamol'.