A British couple, Don and Terry Turner, were found dead in Spain after being caught in the floods last week, as reported by their daughters Ruth O’Loughlin and Renee Turner. The tragic incident occurred in Pedralba, about 20 miles west of central Valencia, where the couple went missing during the floods, only to be discovered in their car days later. The FCDO spokesperson mentioned that they are providing support to the family and liaising with local authorities.
The heartbreaking story unfolded when Ms. O’Loughlin last spoke to her mother on Monday, and then noticed her messages to Mr. Turner were not going through on WhatsApp. Concerned after the reports of floods, she tried reaching out to her father, with no success, before receiving news from her nephew that her parents were missing.
Despite social media campaigns and efforts to contact the British Consulate, it wasn’t until Saturday that they learned of the tragic fate of Mr. and Mrs. Turner. The daughters described their parents as individuals who would have heeded flood warnings if alerted properly, expressing anger towards the Spanish authorities for the lack of alert systems in place.
In their hometown of Burntwood, Staffordshire, the couple was well-known and loved by many. Ms. O’Loughlin reminisced about their personalities, with Mr. Turner being the clown who made their childhood wonderful. Terry, who volunteered at a local dog rescue center and adopted two kittens, was described as someone who would go to great lengths for her pets.
Both Renee Turner and Ms. O’Loughlin had plans to bring their parents back to England, where they were expected to return home permanently. The daughters shared their hopes of moving into a bigger house to accommodate their parents, ensuring their well-being. Foreign Secretary David Lammy offered condolences on behalf of the UK government to all those affected by the tragic floods across Spain.
As the local government in Catalonia issued warnings of continuous and torrential rain, advising people to avoid travel and stay away from streams and ravines, the community remains on high alert. Train services in northeast Catalonia have been suspended to ensure the safety of residents in the region.
The devastating loss of the Turner couple serves as a reminder of the importance of timely alerts and preparedness in the face of natural disasters. Their story resonates with many, highlighting the need for improved communication and response strategies to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
