A Chingford couple’s idyllic summer holiday in Spain turned into a devastating tragedy when they were struck by a drunk driver, an inquest has heard. Steven Campbell, 51, was killed and his wife, Emma Campbell, was left seriously injured after a speeding Peugeot mowed them down at a pedestrian crossing in Los Alcázares, Murcia.

The inquest, held on Friday (February 21) at East London Coroner’s Court, revealed harrowing details about the fatal incident, which occurred on July 9, 2024, during what was meant to be a relaxing getaway.

A Carefree Holiday Turned Nightmare

Steven and Emma Campbell had flown to Murcia on July 6, looking forward to quality time together. Married since 1997, the couple had enjoyed “a really wonderful, relaxing few days,” Mrs. Campbell said in a statement read in court. They spent their final evening watching Spain vs. France in the UEFA Euros semi-final before deciding on a leisurely stroll along the seafront.

Around 11pm, as they crossed the road outside the Costa Narejos Hotel, disaster struck. A Peugeot 406, driven by a man identified in court as Mr. Abdelali, sped through the pedestrian crossing, hitting both Steven and Emma. Spanish police later reported that the car’s engine was still running when officers arrived at 11:05pm.

Inquest Reveals Devastating Injuries and Drunk Driving

The court heard that Mr. Campbell suffered catastrophic head injuries, leading to “brain death due to the destruction of vital nerve centres.” Mrs. Campbell sustained serious injuries but survived.

According to a Spanish police report, the driver was found to be more than three times over the legal drink-drive limit. Officers detected a strong smell of alcohol and noted that the driver appeared inebriated. He allegedly told police that his view had been blocked by a parked car, but investigators concluded he was driving recklessly and at excessive speed.

The report from the Murcia Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences stated that the force of the impact flung the couple several meters from the crossing, further evidencing the high speed of the vehicle.

Mr. Campbell died the following day in hospital, while Mrs. Campbell spent two weeks recovering in a Spanish hospital before being transferred to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel.

A Family Devastated

The inquest heard how Mr. Campbell, an investments specialist at Wells Fargo, had been looking forward to early retirement in three years, with plans to spend more time with his wife and children.

Coroner Dr. Shirley Radcliffe described him as an “honest, caring, and funny family man” who was working hard to secure a comfortable future for his family. “He was working hard to be able to retire in three years and spend quality time with his wife and children,” she said.

Verdict: Road Traffic Collision

Dr. Radcliffe concluded that Mr. Campbell’s death was due to a road traffic collision, noting the limitations of a UK coroner’s court in addressing civil liability in cases occurring abroad.

“This being a coroner’s court, I can’t deal with matters of civil liability,” she said. “The correct conclusion in a case such as this, separating civil liabilities from it, would be his death was due to a road traffic collision.”

She offered her “deepest sympathies” to the family, calling Mr. Campbell’s death “a tragedy.”

Driver Yet to Face Justice

The Spanish driver responsible has been charged with drink-driving and causing death by dangerous driving, but is yet to stand trial in Spain.

The family expressed their frustration at the delay but emphasized their desire to focus on remembering Steven for who he was. In a statement after the hearing, they said:

“On July 9, 2024, our lives changed forever when Steve was killed in a collision in Spain. It is impossible to rewind time and change the actions of individuals that night, actions that had a massive effect on our family.”

“Whilst there is nothing we can do to bring Steve back, we don’t want to continuously relive the worst night of our lives. We want to remember Steve as he was: a brilliant husband, supportive father, and great friend, and we wish for our privacy to be respected at this difficult time.”

A Stark Reminder of the Dangers of Drink Driving

The tragic case highlights the catastrophic consequences of drink-driving, not only for the victims but for their families and communities. Despite international borders, the grief and trauma inflicted remain the same.

As Mrs. Campbell recovers physically and emotionally, the family now waits for justice to be served in Spain.

For those affected by similar tragedies, support services such as Brake, the UK’s road safety charity, and Samaritans offer help and guidance.

Our thoughts remain with the Campbell family during this profoundly difficult time.