Two British expatriates tragically lost their lives in the Valencia floods after getting stranded in their car, with their daughter revealing their intention to return to the United Kingdom. Donald Turner, 78, and Terry Turner, 74, were discovered deceased in their vehicle on November 2, 2024, following severe floods that struck Valencia. The couple, originally from Burntwood, Staffordshire, encountered the fatal incident while trying to cross a narrow ford on their way to a nearby petrol station. The sudden rush of floodwater overwhelmed their car, causing it to overturn and submerge. Their family described the aftermath as “catastrophic,” expanding the typically small ford to around 50 meters in length.
In a heartfelt tribute, their daughter Ruth O’Loughlin praised her parents, highlighting Donald’s humor and playfulness, and Terry’s wise counsel. Renee Turner, their other daughter, disclosed their plans to relocate back to the UK before the tragic event unfolded. Initially considering moving to Greece due to their love for the country where they had resided for 11 years, they eventually decided to head back to the UK as house prices in Greece were prohibitive. The sudden loss was made even more heartbreaking by their imminent plans to return home.
Dr. Miquel Solenne from the Medical Institute of Valencia confirmed that the cause of death for the couple was “mechanical asphyxiation” due to being trapped in their submerged car. The daughters, Ruth and Renee, criticized the Spanish authorities for insufficiently warning about the impending floods. During the inquest, Coroner Andrew Barkley acknowledged the concerns raised but noted the difficulty in predicting such natural disasters accurately. He concluded that the couple’s demise was a result of misadventure, emphasizing that driving to the petrol station was an unfortunate consequence.
Expressing gratitude to the family for their cooperation, Mr. Barkley acknowledged the challenges of limited information from foreign authorities and hoped the proceedings brought some closure to the bereaved relatives.
