UK family killed on holiday in Portugal

A Norfolk family on holiday in Portugal died in a two-vehicle crash on a provincial road near Castro Verde.

UK family killed in car crash while on holiday in southern Portugal

A UK family from Thetford, Norfolk, died in a car crash while on holiday in southern Portugal. Local authorities said the incident happened on Saturday on the IP2 motorway near Castro Verde, in the Alentejo region. The victims were Domingos Serrano, 55, his wife Maria, 51, and their 20-year-old twin sons Afonso and Domingos. A 19-year-old woman reported to be the girlfriend of one of the twins also died, along with the 26-year-old driver of the other vehicle. The family had been travelling from Faro to Mourão, a route they have used on previous trips. Though they lived in the UK, they were not British nationals, according to Sky News.

Mourão’s municipal council declared two days of mourning and cancelled weekend events. The council offered condolences to the families and noted the family’s ties to the area. Tributes have been paid by Thetford Town Football Club, where the twins played for the under-18s. The club posted condolences and said the brothers were valued members of the squad in recent years. An investigation into the crash is underway.

This tragedy shows how holiday travel binds people across borders and communities. When a family from England dies in Portugal, the impact stretches far beyond the immediate circle. The response from Mourão and local clubs illustrates how small towns rally around those connected to them, even from afar. It also highlights the fragile nature of road safety on regional roads, where a routine drive can end in sudden loss. As investigators seek the cause, communities are left to grieve while public attention turns to questions of safety for travellers in unfamiliar terrain.

Highlights

The road will be remembered for more than its danger; it’ll be remembered for the lives it touched.