Two Irish men injured after their golf buggy plunged down ravine at exclusive Spanish course

Officials confirmed both men, aged 29 and 46, were Irish, and said an investigation into the accident was ongoing. File picture: Inpho/James Crombie

Two Irish holidaymakers have cheated death after crashing off their buggy and plunging down a ravine at an upmarket Costa del Sol golf club.

One of the two men was airlifted to hospital after falling about 23ft.

The other tourist managed to leap from the buggy as it veered over when they went through a protective barrier alongside a path between the 17th and 18th tees of Santa Clara Golf near Marbella.

The drama occurred as the two men prepared to finish a round of golf with other friends before a birthday party later the same day.

Officials confirmed both men, aged 29 and 46, were Irish, and said an investigation into the accident was ongoing.

A spokesman for Santa Clara Golf said: “The families of both men flew out after being told about the accident.

“One of the injured golfers had to be airlifted to Carlos Haya Hospital in Malaga.

“The most important thing is that we are being told both are now stable. The most-seriously injured of the two men is still in Carlos Haya and the other is in the Costa del Sol Hospital in Marbella.

“The buggy they were using crashed through a protective barrier around a tarmacked pathway leading from the 17th to the 18th tee.

“One managed to jump from the vehicle before it hit a second natural protective barrier of pine trees and the other was trapped in the buggy, which plunged nearly 7ft down the steep embankment."

Firefighters had to use ropes and a specialised stretcher in the emergency response rescue.

One of the golfers is said to have been conscious throughout the operation, but the other was unconscious when he was assisted immediately after the accident.

A spokesman for a regional emergency services coordination centre confirmed: “Emergency responders assisted two men on Saturday afternoon who had suffered an accident on a golf buggy at a golf club in the Marbella area.

“The most seriously-injured of the two men was taken by air ambulance to a hospital in Malaga.” 

Marbella Town Hall, which employs the local police force which is preparing a report on the accident, has been approached for comment.

Staff at Carlos Haya Hospital, where one of the Irish nationals hurt is still a patient, have yet to comment.

Santa Clara Golf Club is a short drive east of Marbella heading towards Malaga.

It boasts online of being “one of the best golf courses on the Costa del Sol for a stimulating and unforgettable experience”. 

It is not yet known where in Ireland the two injured men are from.