Thursday afternoon left one of the most painful news of the year in the region of Bortziriak. Francisca Ibarburu Lecuona, 75 years old and a resident of Lesaka, died in a multiple accident on the N-121-A, at the Endarlatsa bridge, in the municipality of Bera. Her death immediately shocked the valley due to her strong local roots: she was the owner of the Hotel Rural Bereau, a family business that has been receiving visitors for more than four decades at the entrance of the municipality.
Married -her husband was a teacher at the institute- and mother of two children, Ibarburu was considered a highly appreciated woman in the locality, symbol of a hotel project that is part of the social and tourist landscape of Lesaka. Her unexpected death has left a deep consternation among neighbors, regular customers and people linked to the sector.
A multiple accident on a particularly hard hit road
The accident was reported to the SOS Navarra 112 emergency center at 16.14 hours. According to official information, the accident took place at kilometer point 68.3 of the N-121-A (Irun-Pamplona) and was caused by a multiple collision between four vehicles, the causes of which are being investigated by the Guardia Civil.
This is a stretch of road known for its high traffic density and for the numerous accidents recorded over the last few years. Yesterday’s event puts the focus back on this road, which once again claims a life in tragic circumstances.
An extensive emergency deployment
After receiving the alert, firefighters from the Oronoz fire station, the medical team on duty, a Basic Life Support ambulance (BLS) and patrols from the Policía Foral and the Guardia Civil were mobilized to the scene. SOS Navarra, in coordination with SOS Deiak, also activated firefighters from Irun, as well as an Advanced Life Support ambulance (ALS) and a Basic Life Support ambulance.
The emergency services confirmed that the driver of one of the vehicles, a resident of Lesaka, died on the spot due to the severity of the impact. Two other people were injured and were taken to the hospitals of Irun and Donostia.
A beloved victim in Lesaka
As the identity of the deceased became known, the shock quickly spread throughout Lesaka. Francisca Ibarburu was not only the visible face of the Hotel Rural Bereau, but also a figure closely linked to the daily life of the municipality. Known for her close character and her dedication to the family business, many neighbors agree that her loss is a particularly hard blow.
The hotel that she ran with her family has been part of the town’s tourist network for about forty years. Her death puts an end to a life marked by work, commitment to her town and the affection of those who treated her.
A number that continues to grow
With this accident, there are now 39 people dead on the roads of Navarra so far this year, a figure that clearly exceeds the 24 deaths recorded in the whole of 2024. A particularly tragic year for the region in terms of road accidents, which once again raises the alarm about the need to continue promoting safety measures and actions at points of special risk.
The N-121-A, where the accident occurred, is the focus of much of the criticism and complaints from citizens, especially due to its high traffic of heavy vehicles and the characteristics of a route that has been the subject of institutional debate for years.
Ongoing research
The Guardia Civil continues to work to clarify precisely how the multiple collision between the four vehicles involved occurred. Pending technical reports and analysis of the dynamics of the impact, the authorities reiterate the importance of extreme caution in a stretch that accumulates episodes of risk.
The accident in Bera leaves not only one fatality and two injured, but also a deep sense of mourning in Lesaka, where the figure of Francisca Ibarburu will be forever associated with the memory of a profession and a life dedicated to her community.
