Donkey killed in accident north of Palma – residents and authorities alarmed

Sad accident on the country road to Valldemossa

Early Monday morning at around 5:00 a.m. there was an accident with two donkeys on the country road north of Palma. One animal did not survive the collision, the other was injured and taken to a rescue center. The driver remained physically uninjured, the Guardia Civil, which led the operation, said.

How it happened

The road, which continues straight toward the Tramuntana, is relatively open at this point – many drivers go faster here than necessary, especially when it's still dark. Apparently the animals suddenly ran onto the roadway, according to initial investigations. The exact cause is still unclear. Police are now looking for the owner of the donkeys to clarify the circumstances definitively.

Clearance and handling of the animals

The island administration's emergency services responded to clean the road. Blood residues and animal remains were removed; the dead animal was taken to the Son Reus facility for disposal. The injured animal is in the care of a local rescue center and is now receiving medical treatment. Many people in the area know the donkeys – they reappear along paths and on fincas.

It's not an isolated case: accidents involving free-roaming livestock happen repeatedly on Mallorca; similar recent incidents include Horse collapses in front of San Nicolás: A wake-up call for Palma and Accident near Valldemossa — A wake-up call for the Tramuntana country roads. Decades ago donkeys still worked in olive groves; today many live as pets on private properties or are sometimes kept to roam free. For drivers this means: keep your eyes open, reduce speed, especially at dusk.

Reactions from the neighborhood

A neighbor who regularly leaves early for work said he had recently seen animals more often by the roadside. "You have to expect anything," he said, more resigned than outraged. Others are calling for better fences or clearer responsibilities between municipalities and owners; debates about road safety have intensified after other recent crashes such as Third traffic death in a few days: Do Palma's night streets need to be safer? The Guardia Civil points out that owners can be held liable if animals run away and cause damage.

The investigations are ongoing. Until the owner's found, many questions remain — and a small community mourns an animal that was more than just a pet to some.

Note: Anyone who made unusual observations yesterday morning between Palma and Valldemossa is asked to contact the Guardia Civil.