Man killed by cleaning vehicle on Tarragona beach
A man has died after being run over by a cleaning vehicle while sleeping on a beach in the popular Spanish holiday destination of Tarragona. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning on L'Arrabassada Beach, part of the Costa Dorada in Catalonia.
The victim, whose identity has not been released, was sleeping under a blanket on the sand when he was struck by the vehicle around 6am. Paramedics treated him at the scene before rushing him to Joan XXIII Hospital in Tarragona, where he arrived conscious. He died the following day.
Driver claims he did not see victim
Police launched an investigation into the tragedy. The driver of the cleaning vehicle reportedly told officers he did not see the man he hit. The suspect passed a breath test at the scene, indicating he was not under the influence of alcohol.
L'Arrabassada Beach is a long, wide family beach north of Tarragona's seafront, known for its fine, golden sand. It lies just over a mile and a half from the city marina.
Similar incident in Gran Canaria
The incident echoes a similar tragedy in December 2024, when a 64-year-old German tourist died on Playa del Ingles in Gran Canaria after being run over by a delivery vehicle as she sunbathed. The 4x4 pick-up went over her chest, killing her instantly, while her husband was swimming. The driver did not stop and later claimed he was unaware he had hit anyone. He was identified as a 50-year-old who had worked on the beach for a decade.
