Second crash in six days at La Cala ‘death bend’

THE ‘death bend’ on the A-7 at La Cala de Mijas has claimed another life. Only days after local residents demanded action, on Monday a 78-year-old man died after suffering a heart attack at the wheel.

The Centre for Traffic Control said the car careered off the road, crashing into a guard rail. This was the second fatal accident in six days in the same spot, though the earlier crash involving a lorry happened on the carriageway going in the opposite direction.

Mijas Mayor Angel Nozal said: “The speed limit for this road used to be 100km and it was cut to 80km at this dangerous spot. “But now the speed is limited to 80km on the whole stretch of road, not just on the bend, so no one hits the brake anymore, despite warning signs.”

The lorry driver was killed after losing control of his vehicle – carrying food products – and crashing through the central reservation before hitting three vehicles heading in the opposite direction.

The lorry ended up on its side in a slip road heading towards Fuengirola. Two other people injured in the crash were taken to the Costa del Sol Hospital.
Some fuel was spilled on the road which had to be closed to traffic heading towards Fuengirola, leading to tailbacks of four kilometres.

Traffic was re-directed via the Hippodromo minor road. Residents in the La Cala area have demanded that improvements be made to the road to prevent further accidents.

The bend is notorious locally for accidents, with two or three serious crashes on average every year.  The local residents are being supported by the local town hall in their demands, and the Ministry of Public Works has been asked to solve the problem. The residents suggest either improving the road or installing speed cameras until the work can be carried out.