French Driver Airlifted After 4x4 Rolls into Andorra Riverbed, Released Hours Later

Firefighters airlifted a 23-year-old French resident to Nostra Senyora de Meritxell hospital after his 4x4 rolled down a track and into the Setúria riverbed near Les Bordes de Setúria, but he was released a few hours later at his own request.

The single-vehicle crash happened on Sunday evening around 7:35pm, when the man, driving alone in a French-registered Mitsubishi Pajero, lost control while descending the remote track in the Pal area. The vehicle veered off, flipped two or three times over roughly 50 metres, and ended up upside down in the shallow river, which was not deep despite seasonal snowmelt.

Emergency services, including firefighters with helicopter support, police, and La Massana traffic officers, responded to the alert shortly after 7pm—around 7:45pm per some accounts. Rescuers found the driver already outside the Pajero, having climbed out on foot. He was conscious but disoriented, showing mild hypothermia and light bruises.

Paramedics provided on-site treatment and immobilised him before the helicopter transfer shortly before 8:45pm. Hospital checks confirmed minor injuries, allowing his voluntary discharge soon after.

Police noted the Pajero held up well in the rollover. No further details on the exact cause have been released.