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THE INDEPENDENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER WITH LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS
EDITION 584
FRIDAY 15th SEPTEMBER TO THURSDAY 28th SEPTEMBER 2017 TV GUIDE
MOVIES AT ...
PAGES 25 -32
FORTNIGHTLY SUPPLEMENT F
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PAGES 49 -56
guide
Masca accidents prompt Fatal crash on TF-1 fire service alert caused by
They say people must take extra special care and not under-estimate the difficulty or steepness of this popular ravine, particularly during very hot weather or when it has been raining. Their warning comes as Tenerife’s fire chief reveals that so far this year, troops have been involved in 20 rescues. President of the Consortium, Javier Rodriguez says it is essential to follow certain guidelines of conduct to avoid accidents. He says the fire service has had to deal with a substantial number of incidents in the mountain areas of Tenerife in recent years and particularly so in Masca. The village is very beautiful but the ravine down to the sea is notoriously steep and difficult and many people are unprepared for the challenge it presents. Tourists often become disorientated, slip or are un-
able to continue on their own because of exhaustion of heat-
stroke. This has included children. “It is essential to follow the guidelines of conduct recommended by experts to avoid accidents and, as a consequence, the deployment of
tyre blowout
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Photo: www.bomberostenerife.com
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IREFIGHTERS are relaying an urgent alert to visitors to the famous Masca barranco following a string of complicated rescues due to falls or mishaps.
means and resources to solve it,” he says. The fire service reminds people they should always take a fully-charged phone out with them, as well making use of geolocation services in the WhatsApp application. This can prove invaluable in the event of a rescue. If you are involved in an accident, try to remain calm and relay as much information as possible to 112. Experts point out that one of the main reasons for this kind of rescue is the lack of prior planning. For this reason, the insular institution recommends not to go out alone, always check weather conditions, use the right equipment, plan the route and calculate schedules, carry enough water or food and do not overestimate the real possibilities of doing the route.
OLICE have confirmed that an horrific accident on the TF-1 which caused massive tailbacks was caused by a tyre blowout.
POLICE RAIDS AND GOVERNMENT ACTION
“No hiding place” for food poisoning scammers
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OLICE have warned there is no hiding place for anyone involved in the false food poisoning scam which have been costing Spain, including the Canaries, millions of euros over recent years. Action against those behind the fraudulent claims and holidaymakers who have felt the benefit are being stepped up, including with police raids in Mallorca. Seven people were arrested in the Balearics on suspicion of running the scam, all of them British. It is believed the police action is now being extended to all parts of Spain, including the Canary Islands where hoteliers
have also been suffering. Members of the Civil Guard and court officials gained access to a number of private homes and businesses premises in Mallorca as part of a co-ordinated operation. The so-called “claim farmers” have been exploiting a loophole in the UK law which has allowed tourists to put in food poisoning claims against their hotels without having to prove it.
Club Mac of Alcúdia recently revealed it had submitted an official complaint to the police after being duped out of four million euros in the 2016 season. The 273 claims involved 797 people, with many of them belonging to the same family. The National Police’s Economic Crimes Group is said to have found evidence of crime in these claims, many of them being conducted through specialised consumer law firms in the United Kingdom. The British Government is also taking action, making it easier for tour companies to
challenge food poisoning claims without the fear of racking up huge court bills. And just last week, one socalled claim farmer in the UK was officially stripped of its licence. The British Embassy said evidence showed the firm had used deceptive sales scripts, exaggerating expected payouts to entice consumers. In Mallorca, an army of “ticketers” were paid 50 pounds for ever y Brit persuaded to make false food poisoning claims. They were told they could win up to 3,000 pounds as well as recouping the cost of their holiday.
They say the driver of a heavy lorry struggled to control the vehicle but it smashed across the central barriers and collided with a van. Both of the occupants died, one at the scene and the other later in hospital. They were work colleagues aged 40 and 45 and both came from the Taco area. One was driving, the other was the passenger. The accident caused great shock because of the carnage on the carriageway. Other motorists were stuck in the jam for hours until the emergency services dealt with the situation and the wreckage was lifted away with cranes. The crash happened at km 24 just before the Guimar tunnel and involved several other cars as well.