Flood victims had 'incredible' love for animals

A British couple who died when flooding hit Spain had an “incredible” love for animals and were a big part of a dog rescue charity, its vice president has said.

Don Turner, 78, and his wife Terri, 74, were found dead on Saturday having gone missing from their home near Pedralba when flash flooding struck Valencia.

Originally from Burntwood, Staffordshire, the retired couple moved to Spain about 10 years ago where they became volunteers at the Naturaleza y Animales charity.

Its vice president Lin McNally told BBC Radio WM: “It’s absolutely heartbreaking, they were so loved over here and they had so many good friends.

“We just can’t believe it. They were a big part of Naturaleza y Animales – they volunteered and they just loved to go up there [to the shelter]. The dogs loved them.”

She recalled walking around the shelter with Mrs Turner, who would often tell Ms McNally that she would take all the dogs home with her if she could.

Ms McNally said the charity was planning on planting a tree at the site in their memory.

“It was a huge part of their lives. Their love for animals was incredible,” she added.

The flooding, described as Spain’s worst for generations, began last Tuesday after the region was hit by an intense period of heavy rain.

It has so far claimed the lives of more than 200 people with rescuers still battling to find survivors.

Mr and Mrs Turner’s daughters, Ruth O'Loughlin and Renee Turner, lost contact with their parents after speaking to their dad on Monday last week.

They were told by friends in Spain that their parents’ bodies were found in a car on Saturday, Ms O’Loughlin said.

She and Ms Turner told the BBC that they wanted to “do what’s right by them” by holding an auction, with all the proceeds going towards Naturaleza y Animales.

“It made my parents very happy when they were there,” Ms Turner added.

Asked how she felt about the daughters' pledge, Ms McNally said she was “brought to tears” when she heard about it.

“It would be such a wonderful thing to do and their parents would be so proud and so happy about that gesture on their behalf,” she added.

Ms O'Loughlin said she and her sister had been speaking to the British Consulate and were planning to fly out to Valencia when it was safe to travel.

A spokesperson for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said staff were supporting the family and that they were in contact with the local authorities.

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