Coach cliffhanger

THE horrific coach crash in Madeira brought back nightmare memories of my visit to the island.

My first inkling that a coach journey into the mountains might not be wholly enjoyable came when the young guide introduced our driver, saying: ‘He’s the safest in Madeira — and, believe me, we need it!’

The higher we went, the closer the wheels seemed to get to the crumbling edge of the road. The bottom of each ravine was lined with rusting cars, and when I asked why they had not been salvaged, I was told it was too steep and dangerous.

We were going up a very narrow road when, to my horror, we encountered another coach coming down, which had right of way. Our coach had to reverse and, as we had seats at the back, we were suspended beyond the rear wheels and felt as if we were dangling over the precipice.

It was the most terrifying moment of my life and I haven’t been on a mountain coach tour since.

HEATHER SPINK, Heathfield, E. Sussex.