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

Lisa Fryett, who died in Spanish wildfires, pictured smiling.
Lisa Fryett died, and her partner is in critical condition (Picture: Jam Press)

A British woman severely injured after being rescued from a deadly Spanish wildfire has died – while her partner remains in a critical condition.

Lisa Fryett passed away on 28 July surrounded by her family in Spain after she and partner Simon Batchelor had been critically injured after becoming caught in a blaze near Bédar and Los Gallardos in southern Spain.

The couple, from Canvey, Essex, were rescued from a mountainside the 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. They were discovered and rescued from the mountainside the following day.

According to the fundraising appeal, despite suffering devastating injuries, the couple pleaded with rescuers to save them because they wanted to see their children again.

PICTURED: British mother Lisa Fryett has died and her partner Simon Batchelor remains fighting for his life after they were engulfed by a wildfire in Spain. The Almer?a blaze ripped through the Los Gallardos neighbourhood of southern Spain on July 9, when they were staying near B?dar on holiday. British mother dies and man fighting for life in hospital after couple caught in Spanish wildfire - Lisa
The mum passed away surrounded by family (Picture: Jam Press)

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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.’

ALMERIA, SPAIN - JULY 10: Flames and smoke rise from a wildfire near the municipality of El Pocico on July 10, 2026 in Almeria, Spain. Emergency crews continue to battle the wildfire in Spain's southern province of Almer??a that has killed at least 11 people, with 19 to 23 others still reported missing. (Photo by Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)
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.

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