Four Irish cyclists were struck by a car on Wednesday 08 April 2026 in Orihuela, Alicante province, leaving one man in a critical coma and reigniting debate over road safety on one of the Costa Blanca’s most popular cycling routes.
The collision occurred at 15:36 local time at kilometre 9 of the CV-925, near the roundabout accessing the village of Torremendo. Four Irish cyclists aged between 50 and 68 were struck while riding as part of a larger group of six.
The most critically hurt rider is Donal “Donie” Goulding, a Senior Chief Petty Officer with the Irish Naval Service and an active member of Ballincollig Crusaders Cycling Club in Cork. His wife has since flown out to Spain, with other family members also travelling to be at his bedside.
The injured cyclists were transported to two separate hospitals. Two were taken to Vega Baja Hospital in Orihuela with multiple injuries, while a third — who sustained a serious head injury — was transferred to Vinalopó Hospital in nearby Elche. A fourth received treatment at the scene for minor injuries.
The group were part of a nine-person Cork contingent who had travelled to Alicante for a cycling holiday. The crash occurred shortly after arrival, during what friends described as a short ride simply to check out their bikes before the main days of training began.
The driver, a 73-year-old Spanish national, was identified at the scene and tested negative for alcohol and drugs. However, the Guardia Civil established that his vehicle had been modified to accommodate a disability without the required certification — a factor now central to the investigation. Officers are considering charges of reckless driving and potentially negligent homicide, depending on how the victims’ conditions evolve.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Goulding’s family with travel and accommodation costs while he remains hospitalised. €78,000 had been raised at press time.
Photo Credit: Donal Goulding
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