EMIR and firefighters help tourist who fell into the levada

Tobi Hughes·
Madeira News

A tourist in his 50s fell into the levada while walking along the Levada do Castelejo, which connects Porto da Cruz to São Roque do Faial, and suffered serious injuries.

As far as it was possible to ascertain, the foreigner has a suspected fracture in both legs and an open fracture in an upper limb.

The Municipal Fire Department of Machico and the Rapid Intervention Medical Team (EMIR) were called to the scene and are helping the man who also shows signs of hypothermia, as he fell into the water.

From Diário Notícias

This is the second fall today, as a German tourist was rescued from Pico do Areeiro after a fall and suspected fracture.

Previous ArticleLANDSLIDE CLOSES REGIONAL ROAD THAT CONNECTS SERRA DE ÁGUA TO ENCUMEADA
Next ArticleCELEBRITY EDGE DEBUTED IN FUNCHAL WITH 1,156 PASSENGERS ON BOARD
Tobi Hughes

7 Responses

  1. When tourists research Madeira, they are bombarded with Levada tours to choose but the information is often not clear. Even guides, on Island bus tours, say they are flat, easy and a “must do”. I booked one recently where I met all the criteria for ability / endurance but when picked up, by the tour guide, (had my walking sticks), was told the one lane trail, on a cliff, was dangerous and too narrow to use polls. I always hike with poles – was very disappointed to have to cancel.

    When I asked the clerk at my hotel where I could take the local bus for interesting and safe walking area, I was given a brochure that included mostly Levada tours. She said she had no list of places I could go on my own (like parks or little villages).

    When I asked a tour guide why there wasn’t more information for safe places to walk or bus to, I was told, “we don’t make money if tourists go on their own”.

    Another dangerous situation tourists are not informed about is how slippery the white sidewalk tiles are when it rains. I learned the hard way by falling and breaking my wrist. After the fact, I was told, “always walk on the black areas when it rains”. The street I slipped on was the meeting place for the “Old Funchal Walking Tour”, Jesuit College of Funchal, Rua dos Ferreiros. If I knew how to include a photo of the street you would see it is very steep with a very narrow black line, (too narrow for a footstep and often blocked by a pole), on the far sides of the sidewalk (ie the rest of the sidewalk was white tiles).

    Over my 15 days in Madeira, I saw numerous tourists in arm and leg casts. As we passed on the street we would point to our broken appendage (at my small hotel, alone, I spoke to 3 people, who had fallen). The crowded hospital does not need more patients, (unless they need our money?) and tourists should be warned about this danger.

    Guides are quick to point out there are no dangerous animals, snakes or insects on Madeira but, along with a lot of beauty, there are other dangerous.

    Renee, (Vancouver, Canada)

  2. This is becoming a weekly event, time for authorities to sort this out. The lack of edge protection and the condition of some of it, leaves a great deal of need for this to be addressed.

  3. … I have lived here for over 2 years and I speak with many tourists (probably 100+ per week) ,, yet I can’t remember seeing any in fresh arm or leg casts, and have heard no reports (other than a few on here or in the local papers or news) of any serious falls or slips, I’ve never heard of or seen anyone slip over on the white pavement stones, although I understand walking on the black stones has much more grip, I’ve felt a slight slip a few times myself and always point this out to tourists, but compared to Icy pavements in the UK it pales into insignificance !! ,, as for putting more rails/fences along certain places on levadas “where do you draw the line??” the next least safe section would automatically become the most unsafe section, and I feel it would take away and detract from Madeira’s Uniqueness and natural beauty, and I’m pretty sure comparing statistics for injuries against let’s say Skiing holidays in Europe, Madeira’s incident rate would be much lower …

    1. Russsell, please have a look at the street address I mention in Funchal and imagine it in the rain. I was wearing boots with good tread but actually fell twice, going down the hill, in the same area. The first time I wasn’t injured but slipped the second time, trying to get to the road, for better traction. My story and those of other tourists slipping was not reported to the media – we noticed each other because we had encountered the same problem and stopped to talk about it. (besides the casts, a couple of tourists shared they experienced the same problem but couldn’t show the areas of bruising).

      In Vancouver, our streets can be slippery when icy but never when just wet (and we get a lot of rain!!) A warning from the desk when I asked for a map, 30 minutes after arriving, and was heading out, for the first time, to find an address, would have been much appreciated.

      I agree, all hiking areas, (of which there are many in Canada), can have dangers but the Levadas are not marketed as hikes they are classified as walks (“like a walk in the park’), Again, where I come from, and maybe other responsible tourists too, research new trails for safety issues before heading out. My point was, tourists are encouraged to enjoy flat, easy, Levado walks, without being told the hazards.

      You have been in Madeira for two years so in on “local information” tourists are not privy to.

      I like Tobi’s blog b/c he provides a platform to talk about what is great and what isn’t. It takes some of the pain away to “tell our story” and maybe prevent someone else experiencing the same problem.

      Renee

      1. Well, Madeira is not like US or Canada where they have to put a sign on the beach saying “beware, the sea may be wet”, or otherwise someone gets wet and takes the council to court.

        Use common sense, all recommended hikes have basic rules and instructions at the beginning. Madeira is not a good place to holiday for people that don’t use common sense.

  4. Renee, I am not sure what your request is here. If you read Tobi’s blog, you are told all the time the cautions/dangers of Levadas. Yes, in the Americas we use the term hikes and here they use walks. Neither is right or wrong. I lived in Aspen for over 20 years where people do outdoor activities during all seasons. No one can possibly tell you all the things to watch for If you want to travel and have adventures, read, educate yourself, talk to people, stay alert and use common sense. Criticizing, particularly because it is not done your way, is not the answer and is generally not going to be received well. Just saying…..

  5. May I respectfully recommend to your frustrated Canadien Lavada walker investing in a copy of Landscapes of Madeira by John and Pat Underwood, available on the island and on the internet. I quote “Since we first published a small book of Madeira walks in 1980, not only has Landscapes of Madeira become the most widely used guide on the island, but it inspired a whole series of Landscapes books, which we publish under our Sunflower imprint. The aim of the series is to lead the visitor off the beaten track and into the countryside – whether by car, public transport or on foot.
    Many changes have come about since the last edition of this book was published just a few years ago, requiring us to reroute a few walks. But above all the fifth edition responds to two very encouraging trends. Firstly, more people are hiring cars and taking advantage of the excellent accommodation all over the island. Therefore we have added six new walks: wherever you spend the night, there will be a walk nearby. Secondly, the Regional Government is encouraging the islanders (in schools, in the media and in various publications) to value their natural heritage and to walk; as a result, many old trails, which have not already fallen prey to bulldozers, are being preserved.
    All Sunflower authors hope to convey more than mere enthusiasm for their chosen landscapes – love might be a better word. Our love affair with Madeira really came into blossom with our ‘discovery’ of the ‘levadas’. They never cease to fascinate or inspire us. No matter how tired we may be, to walk beside a ‘Levada’ always refreshes our spirits and brings the bounce back into our steps.”
    I am amazed that your correspondent saw numerous tourists in arm and leg casts during her 15 day stay. May suggest that it is more likely that they were not injured Lavada walkers but in fact members of the Yorkshire over ninetys nudist leapfrog team recovering here on the island following a particularly energetic practice session? Happy holidays!

Comments are closed.

© 2023 Madeira Island News | Privacy Policy