British hiker, 53, found dead in ‘tragic accident’ while hiking Canary Islands mountain with wife as he tried to reach scenic viewpoint
- Presumably the hiker was trying to reach a viewpoint on Gran Canaria
- Authorities discovered his body earlier today and recovered it hours later
A British hiker has died in the Canary Islands after reportedly disappearing while trying to reach a viewpoint on one of the Canary Islands’ highest peaks.
The unnamed hiker, 53, was found this afternoon following a helicopter search by local authorities after he disappeared on Monday.
He was reportedly trying to reach a viewpoint on Gran Canaria’s Pico de Las Nieves (Snow Peak), which is 2,000 meters above sea level and is one of the highest points in the Spanish archipelago.
His wife initiated the search, raising the alarm sometime around 5pm on January 22, but it was halted three hours later due to a lack of light until this morning, when his body was discovered.
Authorities say the man was found early in the afternoon in an area described as “difficult to access,” and was recovered around 5 p.m. during an operation involving vigilante officers, firefighters and civil protection officers.
The man is believed to have been killed while trying to reach a viewpoint at Pico de Las Nieves in Gran Canaria (archive photo)
Pico de Las Nieves is one of the highest points in Gran Canaria and one of the highest points in the Canary Islands in general
An investigation into his death is underway. Police sources who confirmed his nationality said initial investigations indicated the incident was an accident.
A spokesperson for the regional emergency services coordination center confirmed the search and subsequent discovery of the man’s body.
He said: ‘At around 1pm an emergency and rescue helicopter located the body of a deceased man and, after receiving court permission, evacuated a car park at the Pico de Las Nieves viewpoint so that the Guardia Civil could take over.
‘The alarm was raised on Tuesday around 5 p.m. The information received was that a person had started walking from the Pico de las Nieves viewpoint and had not returned.
“The search was started immediately.”
The dead man is said to have been on holiday in the area, but the police do not want to make any further statements yet. The ongoing investigation is being coordinated by a local court.
Pico de Las Nieves is easily accessible by car, bicycle or on foot. Despite the name, there is almost never snow on the top.
It was considered the highest peak in Gran Canaria until it was displaced from its highest spot by another mountain next to it, Morro de la Agujereada, which was discovered to be 6 meters higher.
The highest point in the Canary Islands is Pico de Teide on Tenerife, which is about 3,000 meters high. It is the highest point of all sovereign Spanish soil.