British Man Survives Spanish Wildfire in Abandoned Cars as Wife and Friends Die

Malcolm Timbrell, 70, survived wildfires that swept through Bedar in Spain's Almeria province on Thursday by sheltering in a series of abandoned cars with one of his cats, @Independent reported. He became separated from his wife Annette Kilgore, 69, and seven other friends and neighbors after the group left their vehicles and attempted to flee the advancing flames on foot.

Timbrell and Kilgore had moved to the village after appearing on the Channel 4 programme A Place in the Sun.

Timbrell stated that the others proceeded despite his warnings, and he later heard the firewall was advancing at 20 kilometres per hour or faster. He said the group had no chance. At least 13 people have died in the wildfires across southern Spain.

A 93-year-old British woman died after suffering burns to about 20 percent of her body; she was hospitalized on Friday and her death was confirmed on Sunday afternoon, the Andalusian government said. Four bodies were found in a burnt-out car with a right-hand-drive steering wheel, and at least four of the dead are thought to be British.

Two British hikers were found alive but with approximately 40 percent burns.

Civil Guards discovered them after returning to check the area as night fell. Sergeant Pedro Barre told RTVE that accumulated experience prompted the team to make one last check. The hikers are in serious condition in hospital but their lives are not believed to be in danger.

Spanish authorities believe all victims were foreign tourists who abandoned their vehicles and tried to escape on foot through rugged terrain. Post-mortem examinations have been completed and DNA samples collected to identify the dead, according to Antonio Sanz, head of Andalusia’s emergency services.