A 17-year-old tourist lost her life in an apparent hit-and-run incident on the Costa del Sol after witnessing her national team’s advancement in the World Cup.
Nikoline Piwoni Høie was struck by a vehicle, believed to be a lorry, on a dual carriageway during the early hours of Monday. The tragic event took place on the A-7 motorway near La Cala de Mijas, approximately 20 miles from Marbella in southern Spain, with the driver fleeing the scene.
Having gone out with friends, the teenager, hailing from Arendal, Norway, went missing after her visit to the Funky Buddha nightclub in Puerto Banús. She had been commemorating Norway’s thrilling 2-1 victory against Brazil in the World Cup with her fellow Norwegian peers.
Following her celebrations, Nikoline took a taxi or similar mode of transportation before the fatal incident on the A-7. Emergency services were notified around 5:20 am, but unfortunately, Nikoline succumbed to her injuries.
Having been vacationing in the Costa del Sol since June 19, Nikoline was scheduled to return to Norway on the same day.
The Spanish Civil Guard is treating the tragic demise of the young tourist as a hit-and-run case, with ongoing efforts to identify the vehicle and driver involved. As of now, no arrests have been made.
In a statement, family spokesperson Finn Greve-Isdahl expressed the family’s profound grief and thanked the Arendal community for their support. Nikoline’s stepmother conveyed their anticipation of her return home, labeling the situation as unjust and a nightmare.
Arendal’s acting mayor, Inger Brokka de Ruiter, described the incident as deeply tragic and confirmed that a local crisis team is assisting affected relatives and young individuals.
The Norwegian Foreign Ministry has been notified, and the embassy stands prepared to offer assistance as the investigation continues.
