Man, 20, dies while climbing on dangerous 'Monkey Bridge' path

A 20-year-old man has tragically died after climbing on Spain's famous "Monkey Bridge" path.

The incident occurred on the morning of Wednesday, December 11, near the Puente del Mono on the Caminito Del Rey, located approximately 70 kilometers (43 miles) from Málaga.

The British man, whose identity has not been disclosed, fell at around 11:00AM and was rendered unconscious by the impact, according to local media outlet Sur.

Companions who were with him during the hike quickly alerted authorities.

The Caminito Del Rey. Credit: David Ramos/Getty

Despite the rapid response, the man was in cardiac arrest when rescuers arrived. He was winched from the mountainside by helicopter and transported to a nearby heliport where medical teams awaited, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Per the Mirror, spokesperson for the Guardia Civil shared details of the rescue: “Members of the specialist Civil Guard Greim mountain rescue team based in Alora near Malaga, supported by a Civil Guard helicopter based in Granada, have rescued the body of a young British man.

“He had suffered a fall while he was crossing a via ferrata in the area known as Monkey Bridge near to El Chorro.

“When officers reached the man he had gone into cardiac arrest. Despite practicing CPR on him and evacuating him rapidly from the scene by helicopter to a nearby heliport where medical services were waiting, they were only able to confirm his death.”

There has been a number of accidents at the bridge. Credit: David Ramos/Getty

The Monkey Bridge and the Caminito del Rey are popular destinations for climbers and thrill-seekers, offering breathtaking views but presenting significant challenges and risks.

The Caminito Del Rey was originally constructed in 1905 to provide workers at the El Chorro power station with a safe route through the gorge.

Over time, the trail fell into disrepair and earned a reputation as "the most dangerous walkway in the world."

Following years of closure, it reopened in 2015 after extensive renovations and the implementation of new safety measures.

The bridge has been dubbed the world's most dangerous. Credit: David Ramos/Getty

The young tourist was reportedly using the via ferrata method at the time of the accident. This climbing technique involves scaling rock faces with the aid of steel fixtures, ladders, and wires secured to the surface.

Last month, another British climber required rescue in the nearby area of El Chorro. He fell while attempting a route known as the Blue Line, breaking his leg and becoming stranded 650 feet above ground.

A Civil Guard helicopter rescued him, and he was transported to a Málaga hospital for treatment.

Featured image credit: David Ramos/Getty