A suspected drug-trafficking speedboat caused a deadly crash on November 19, 2024, on the RM-12 motorway near La Manga resort in Murcia, Spain. Two British men were killed, and a third was injured. Local authorities identified the deceased by their initials as P.D., 49, and J.W., 57, while the survivor, I.P., 54, remains in critical condition.
The victims were traveling in a Seat Leon as part of a golf trip when the 32-foot “narco lancha” speedboat detached from its trailer at high speed and struck their vehicle.
The crash resulted in a six-vehicle pileup, with eight others sustaining minor injuries. Emergency responders worked for 30 minutes to free people trapped in their vehicles. Four individuals – two women aged 18 and 55, and two men aged 19 and 29 – received treatment at a hospital in Cartagena.
The speedboat, commonly used in drug smuggling, was equipped with two 300-horsepower engines and lacked a registration number. Authorities suspect it was being transported to a nearby beach for smuggling operations. The SUV towing the boat fled the scene, leaving both the vehicle and the speedboat behind. Police are reviewing surveillance footage to identify the suspect.
“We are supporting the families of three British nationals following a road traffic incident in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities,” a spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said
This tragedy highlights the risks posed by organized crime in the region. Spanish authorities have launched a manhunt and are reviewing surveillance footage from traffic cameras and local businesses to identify the suspect. The motorway remained closed for three hours while investigators processed the scene.