International Security

British mum dies in Spanish wildfires and partner fights for life in hospital

Aug 6, 2026 IDOPRESS

Lisa Fryett died,and her partner is in critical condition (Picture: Jam Press)

A British woman has died after being rescued from a deadly Spanish wildfires,while her partner remains in a critical condition.

Lisa Fryett passed away on July 28,surrounded by her family in Spain after she and partner,Simon Batchelor,were critically injured in a blaze near Bédar and Los Gallardos,in the south of the country.

The couple,from Canvey,Essex,became trapped in the fire and were rescued from a mountainside a day after the fire started. Simon remains critically ill in hospital.

Simon and Lisa had been staying near Bédar and Los Gallardos when the wildfire swept through the area.

According to a fundraising appeal set up by their family,the couple pleaded with rescuers to save them because they wanted to see their children again.

The mum passed away surrounded by family (Picture: Jam Press)

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Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.Lisa’s son Alfie Batchelor paid tribute to his mum,describing her as the ‘best person ever’ and saying she had been his world.’He wrote: ‘Words genuinely can’t describe how upset I am right now writing this. It still doesn’t feel real,but we said goodbye to my beautiful mum.‘You were the best person ever. You were my world. I’m so grateful to be able to call you my mum,and I will forever love you.‘I will cherish every memory I have with you,and I will never forget you. I miss you so much and always will. I don’t know what I’m going to do without you. My life has completely changed,and I will forever make you proud.’Deadly wildfires spread through Spain in July (Picture: Getty)The family’s fundraiser added: ‘It is with the deepest sadness that we share the heartbreaking news that our beautiful Lisa passed away on July 28,surrounded by her loving family in Spain.‘Our hearts are completely broken,and there are simply no words to describe the pain we are feeling. Lisa fought so incredibly hard,and we are so grateful that her loved ones were able to be by her side,surrounding her with love until the very end.’Funds raised will now also help the family give Lisa what they described as the ‘beautiful send-off she truly deserves’.The appeal has raised more than £65,000 to help cover emergency travel,accommodation,transport and other unexpected expenses.Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at .For more stories like this,check our news page.