“To speak of Faride is to speak of kindness and good intentions,” comments Jaime Chinea, president of the Folkloric and Cultural Association Jelima of Chácaras and Tambores, following the tragic deaths of Faride Cruz Niebla and José Negrín Aguilar, better known as Cheo, both victims of a hit-and-run on the road in Arure, in the municipality of Valle Gran Rey.
This past Sunday, around half-past six in the evening, a car veered off the road and fatally struck these two individuals who were outside a shop selling and tasting wine.
Condolences
The municipality of Valle Gran Rey mourns the loss of these two local residents, and the town council has declared three days of mourning. The mayor, Borja Barroso, on behalf of the entire Corporation and the town’s citizens, has extended heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims, emphasising that they were “very much loved members of our community, whose memory will forever remain in the collective heart of Valle Gran Rey”.
“In such painful moments, we wish to stand by their families and friends, offering all our support and affection,” he added.
Beloved Residents
Cheo, well-regarded by the community, managed a local parcel service and was the owner of the “Wine Shop” in Arure, a place where many stopped daily to greet him and purchase his products, according to a local resident.
“Faride, a resident of Guadá, will be remembered for her kindness,” Chinea insists, recalling the significant role she played in preserving the island’s folklore, having been responsible for the drum dance workshop at the municipal music school in Valle Gran Rey.
Romancera
She was also a member of La Rebelión de los gomeros, a group of musicians representing the island wherever needed, with recent performances in the islands of El Hierro and Lanzarote.
“Today, all of La Gomera feels the loss because she was beloved everywhere, not only for playing the drum but also for being an excellent romancera, a highly valued quality,” he emphasised.
Support for Families
Furthermore, the local resident noted that the deaths of these two cherished individuals on the island “have been a severe blow,” adding that a third person, the vehicle’s co-pilot, is in critical condition. He mentioned that some neighbours and family members required assistance at the scene due to high levels of anxiety while waiting for authorities to arrive, often for hours, to complete necessary procedures and transfer the bodies to the forensic institute.
“During these summer months and with the holiday season, when a tragedy occurs, the situation complicates because sometimes the coroner has to come from the City, and if they are not on the island, we have to wait for them to arrive from Tenerife,” he pointed out.
Deep Sorrow
In any case, both families and the entire municipality mourn the loss of these two significant community members.
The Cultural Association has expressed its condolences to the families of the deceased, as well as the hope that a substantial representation of drummers from the island can accompany them during the final farewell.
