British couple killed in Granada house collapse

British couple killed in Granada house collapse
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By h.b. - Feb 23, 2010 - 6:33 PM

Photo EFE

It happened on Monday night in the village of Rubite

A British couple has died overnight when the roof of the cortijo rural house they were visiting collapsed in Granada.

It happened in the village of Rubite, and Motril firemen at the scene said that a landslide caused by the recent rains was the probable cause of the tragedy.

The local Mayor, Arsenio Vázquez, has called for the area to be classified as a catastrophic zone because of all the damage done by the recent storms.
Reports say that the tragedy happened at 6,30pm on Monday night at the property which was on the road between Castell del Ferro and Órgiva.

The dead couple have been named as 64 and 63 year old Christopher and Christine Martin, who actually live in nearby La Mamola on the coast, but who were staying in the cortijo by invitation of the owners.

The owners, another British

The outside of the property - EFE

couple, were also in the house when the roof collapsed but they escaped with their lives.

The woman, Caroline, was a short distance away from the visitors on the sofa quietly sitting watching television when she heard a crack. Her husband Doug went outside to see what the damage was and when he came back in saw the roof come down on then sitting side by side on the sofa. Caroline suffered a few scratches while Doug was unhurt although both are understandably distraught at what has happened.

We have been told by friends that Christopher and Christine, (Chris and Chris) were very popular in La Mamoloa, equally at home with the English and the Spanish and enjoyed life to the full. They were very much in love and had known each other since their teens.

(This story has been updated)
The funeral arrangements are here

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