The driver of the vehicle involved in the accident which resulted in the deaths of nine Finnish tourists on March 19th has been remanded in custody after an ititial court appearance.
The magistrate at the Court of Instruction Number One in Torremolinos has ordered the 27 year old driver of the vehicle alleged to have caused the fatal crash near Benalmádena to be detained in prison without the possibility of bail. He faces 52 charges including reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and nine counts of negligent driving resulting in death.
Nine Finnish tourists died and 41 other people were injured when their coach overturned on the road between Benalmádena and Torremolinos on Saturday April 19th. According to the Guardia Civil reports, the accused was driving at a speed in excess of the permitted limit and in a manner inappropriate in the prevailing conditions, which were wet and windy and, whilst executing an overtaking manoeuvre on the inside, lost control of his vehicle, hit the crash barrier and rebounded into the coach casuing it to overturn.
Following the accident, the driver tested positive for alcohol, the level being twice the permitted amount.
The accused was initially granted bail due to the fact that he was in hospital and was in no fit state to appear in court, or even move. At his court appearance yesterday, following his hospital discharge, he was still wearing a neck brace and showed some difficulty moving around.