Two British expatriates tragically passed away in Valencia due to flooding, as revealed by their daughter. Donald Turner, 78, and Terry Turner, 74, were discovered deceased in their car on November 2, 2024, following severe floods that struck the Spanish city. The couple, originally from Burntwood, Staffordshire, were en route to a nearby petrol station when they tried to cross a narrow ford. A sudden surge of floodwater engulfed their vehicle, causing it to overturn and submerge. Their relatives described the aftermath as “catastrophic,” with the ford expanding to about 50 meters in length.
In a touching tribute, Ruth O’Loughlin, the daughter, praised her parents as the epitome of great parenting. She fondly remembered her father, Donald, as the humorous one, always bringing laughter, while her mother, Terry, was more serious but offered invaluable advice when needed.
Renee Turner, the couple’s other daughter, disclosed that her parents had plans to relocate back to the UK before the tragic incident. Originally considering Greece for retirement, they reconsidered due to high property prices. After residing in Spain for 11 years, Donald enjoyed the country, but Terry began to miss home. The sisters lamented the untimely loss, emphasizing that their parents were gearing up for a return to the UK.
Dr. Miquel Solenne from the Medical Institute of Valencia confirmed that the Turners succumbed to “mechanical asphyxiation” while trapped in their submerged car. The daughters criticized Spanish authorities for inadequate flood warnings during their parents’ demise.
During the inquest, Coroner Andrew Barkley acknowledged the concerns about the lack of early weather alerts possibly altering the outcome. Despite the challenges in predicting flooding events, Mr. Barkley concluded that the Turners’ demise was a result of misadventure, stemming from their trip to the petrol station amidst the flooding. He expressed gratitude to the family for their cooperation and hoped the proceedings provided some closure amid the limited information from the foreign authorities.