Gipuzkoa witnessed its deadliest traffic accident in history this Wednesday in Elgoibar on the AP-8 highway. Five Navarra regional police officers lost their lives when a truck collided with their van as they were traveling to a training course in Iurreta. The tragic incident occurred around 9:15 AM at the point where the highway splits towards the AP-1.

To reconstruct the accident, which is still under investigation by the Ertzaintza (Basque Police), El Diario Vasco has gathered testimonies from witnesses and the truck driver. The heavy vehicle, carrying sugar and driven by a French driver, was traveling behind and had no time to avoid the impact.

According to testimonies and the truck driver's account, the van swerved sharply to the right and then attempted to correct to the left, losing control and hitting the median separating the AP-8 and AP-1 junctions. The vehicle ended up crosswise in the right lane of the AP-8. The following tanker truck could not avoid the collision, dragging the van approximately 60 meters before overturning and invading the oncoming lane.

The severe impact resulted in the immediate death of four officers, while the fifth was attended to and attempts were made to resuscitate him by medical services, who were ultimately unsuccessful. The deceased were experienced Navarra regional police officers en route to an event with the Ertzaintza. The tanker truck driver sustained minor injuries and was airlifted to a hospital.

This devastating event, the most serious on Gipuzkoa's roads in recent history, has cast a shadow of grief and shock over both Gipuzkoan and Navarrese institutions. The Government of Navarra is preparing an official tribute to the victims.