An inquest in Essex has opened into the death of a British mother who became trapped by wildfire while on holiday in southern Spain, underscoring the deadly reach of this summer’s blazes for UK travellers abroad.
Trapped by the flames
Lisa Fryett, 47, of Canvey Island in Essex, was staying near Bedar, Los Gallardos, with her partner Simon Batchelor when fire tore through the area. The Essex area coroner, Michelle Brown, told the inquest in Chelmsford on Thursday that Ms Fryett “was on holiday in Spain when she became trapped by a wildfire at the villa she was staying at”. After five or six hours, she and her partner were rescued by emergency services. Ms Fryett died in a hospital in Seville on 28 July. Her provisional medical cause of death was recorded as “extensive burns related changes”.
A family’s ordeal
The couple suffered burns to about 40% of their bodies during the Los Gallardos fires, and reportedly begged for help so they would be able to see their children again. A post on an online fundraising campaign on 31 July said Mr Batchelor remained in hospital. More than £67,000 has since been raised through a GoFundMe page to support the family. Ms Fryett, a mother of three, had been on what should have been a relaxing break when the wildfire engulfed the villa.
Why it matters
The case is a stark reminder that British holidaymakers are among those caught in the widening wave of extreme wildfire seasons across southern Europe. The Los Gallardos fires have now claimed at least 14 lives, and Ms Fryett’s death illustrates how quickly a foreign holiday can turn catastrophic when infrastructure and rescue services are overwhelmed by fast-moving fire.
What happens next
Ms Fryett’s inquest has been adjourned to a date to be fixed, when further evidence on the circumstances of the fire and the rescue is expected. The family’s fundraising effort continues as Mr Batchelor receives treatment, and the case is likely to renew scrutiny of travel safety advice during Europe’s fire season.
Source: Original report. Rewrite for Your News Website.
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