British couple Simon Batchelor and Lisa Fryett are fighting for their lives in a Spanish hospital after suffering serious injuries in a wildfire that swept through the Almeria region. They were rescued from a mountainside near Bédar and Los Gallardos the day after the blaze started and remain in critical condition.
Family by Their Side
Their three children have traveled to Spain to be with them. A fundraising appeal on GoFundMe has raised more than £46,000 to cover emergency travel, accommodation, and other expenses. The fundraiser states that when found, despite their devastating injuries, Simon and Lisa pleaded with rescuers to save them so they could see their children again.
Other Victims
British couple Pete and Fran Gillam were confirmed among 13 victims killed in the fire. They last contacted their daughter on Thursday, July 9, at around 7pm, saying they were evacuating but never messaged again. A 93-year-old British woman also died from burns covering 20% of her body, bringing the death toll to 13.
Missing Person
Annette Kilgore, 69, who appeared on Channel 4's A Place in the Sun, is missing and presumed dead after the fire razed the village of Bédar.
Gratitude to Rescuers
The family expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Spanish emergency services, especially the Guardia Civil, for their courage and determination. The fundraiser emphasizes that every donation helps ease the financial burden so the family can focus on supporting Simon and Lisa during this unimaginably difficult time.
