Goodbye to the Olive Tree

Traffic Accident

Formentera, July 10, 2026

A traffic accident in the early hours of last Thursday has brought down one of the most iconic landmarks at the entrance to Sant Francesc. A passenger car drove onto the sa Raval roundabout and crashed into the historic olive tree that had welcomed residents and visitors to the capital of Formentera for decades.

Despite the severity of the crash, no one was injured. The driver received medical attention at the scene but did not need to be taken to hospital as he had not sustained any serious injuries.

Initial reports indicate that the driver lost control of the vehicle after being dazzled by the high beams of an oncoming car. However, a breathalyser test returned a positive result above the permitted administrative limit.

The accident prompted the Consell de Formentera to immediately deploy its maintenance crews to remove the olive tree, clear the roadway and ensure traffic safety. At the same time, the institution began assessing the damage caused to the infrastructure.

Positive Alcohol Test

The car was reportedly travelling from La Savina when, for reasons that are still under investigation, the driver lost control of the vehicle and drove directly into the roundabout.
Tyre marks on the road surface, damaged road signs and the vehicle’s final position have allowed investigators to reconstruct the sequence of events. Everything suggests that the car entered the centre of the roundabout, knocked down the olive tree and came to a stop on the opposite side, in the middle of the roadway.

When Local Police officers arrived at the scene, an ambulance crew was already treating the driver. After examining him, paramedics confirmed that he had not suffered any significant injuries, making it unnecessary to take him to a medical centre.
During the intervention, officers carried out a breathalyser test, which produced a positive result above the administrative limit of 0.25 milligrams of alcohol per litre of exhaled air. However, the reading was below the threshold required for a criminal offence, meaning the driver will only face an administrative penalty.

Olive Tree Removed

Following the accident, the Consell de Formentera sent several island maintenance workers to remove the damaged olive tree, clear the debris scattered across the roadway and make the area safe.
Once the work had been completed, traffic returned to normal. Meanwhile, the institution stated that it is continuing to assess the extent of the damage and determine what work will need to be carried out on the roundabout.

Formentera’s First Roundabout

The sa Raval roundabout has held a prominent place in Formentera’s road history since it was built in 1996, becoming the island’s first roundabout as part of a project promoted by the Balearic Government.
At the centre of the roundabout, a large stone bearing a welcome message and the Formentera coat of arms still remains. Although the olive tree was not part of the original project, it became one of the most recognisable symbols at the entrance to Sant Francesc after being planted just a few months after the roundabout was inaugurated.