British tourist, 20, dies while climbing on Spain’s dangerous ‘Monkey Bridge’ path

The unnamed tourist plunged to his death on what was formerly known as the most dangerous walkway in the world

A 20-year-old British tourist has tragically died after falling while climbing a Spanish path known as ‘The Monkey Bridge’.

According to reports, the man was near the Puente del Mono, aka the Monkey Bridge, on the Caminito Del Rey, which is around 70km (43 miles) from Malaga when he fell at approximately 11am on Wednesday 11 December.

The unnamed man was left unconscious by the fall, as per Sur, and when those who were accompanying him on the hike alerted authorities, the Guardia Civil immediately sprang into action.

A helicopter was sent to the site of the fall, as well as a mountain rescue team. However, it was evident upon arrival that the man had succumbed to his injuries and there was nothing that could save him.

The tourist died after falling from the Monkey Bridge (David Ramos/Getty Images)

A spokesman for the Guardia Civil said: “Members of the specialist Civil Guard Greim mountain rescue team based in Alora near Malaga, supported by a Civil Guard helicopter based in Granada, have rescued the body of a young British man.

“He had suffered a fall while he was crossing a via ferrata in the area known as Monkey Bridge near to El Chorro. When officers reached the man he had gone into cardiac arrest.

“Despite practicing CPR on him and evacuating him rapidly from the scene by helicopter to a nearby heliport where medical services were waiting, they were only able to confirm his death.”

In July of this year, a man also fell from the structure and plunged 20 feet into a tree below. But thankfully, he survived his injuries and a safety review of the hiking trail occured.

The Caminito Del Rey is famous for climbing and is said to be a terrifying experience as the walkways are built to cling on to the cliffs.

The bridge was once known as the most dangerous in the world (JORGE GUERRERO/AFP via Getty Images)

According to Murcia Today, thousands of thrill-seekers climb the Caminito del Rey each year, looking to enjoy the adrenaline-filled experience. The walkways are built around the cliffs and features high wire exercises for people to enjoy.

The trail is a whopping five miles long and was originally created to be a solution for workers of the El Chorro power station, which would allow them to get to work through the gorge unscathed.

While built and completed in 1905, it was previously known as the most dangerous walkway in the world and had fallen into disrepair, leading to it to be closed for many years until it reopened in 2015. With extensive repair work carried out prior to its opening, it allegedly underwent new safety measures, as per Euro Weekly News.

The tourist who died this week is said to have been climbing using the ferrata method, which sees hikers use steel fixtures, ladders that are bolted to rock and even wires to climb up.