A British tourist has told of the terrifying moment his campervan was shot at multiple times while parked near Torrevieja, forcing him to flee the scene in fear for his life.

Phil Allen had pulled into a car park in Mil Palmeras for just six minutes at around midday on Thursday when he heard what he initially thought was a firework go off.

Moments later, he realised someone was firing bullets at his motorhome.

‘I had literally parked up and went to check the signage because I know Spain changes its parking signs from time to time,’ Allen told the Spanish Eye.

‘I was about halfway across the car park when I heard a really loud bang. At first I thought it was a firework or some sort of celebration.’

But as he made his way back towards the vehicle, a second loud bang rang out.

‘That’s when I knew it had hit the motorhome,’ he recalled.

Allen said he immediately began inspecting the vehicle for damage.

‘I checked the windscreen first and then walked to the rear because I have a motorcycle trailer attached which is brand new and very expensive.’

It was at that moment he heard a third shot.

‘I saw a huge hole in the rear garage door of the motorhome. Then I looked at the front and saw another hole.

‘I jumped straight into the camper and drove away as fast as I could.’

Allen pulled onto a nearby road and called emergency services. Not knowing the Spanish emergency number, he first phoned his wife before being told to dial 112.

He estimates the shooting happened at around 12.15pm, with police arriving within minutes.

‘The response was incredibly quick,’ he said.

‘Two undercover officers arrived as well and they were all very professional and polite.

‘One of them asked if I needed medical help or to go to hospital, but I was okay. At that point I was mainly worried about our motorhome.’

The motive behind the attack remains unclear.

Allen said some locals have suggested tensions surrounding campervans and parking restrictions could have played a role, while others have speculated it may have been a case of mistaken identity.

‘I honestly have no idea why it happened,’ he said.

‘All I wanted to do was park up, get something to eat and then leave. I certainly wasn’t expecting to be shot at.’

The incident has had major consequences for the couple, who use the motorhome as their primary home.

Allen explained that he and his wife sold their house in order to help care for his mother and now spend much of their time travelling between Spain, Portugal and the UK.

‘Our motorhome is our home most of the time,’ he said.

‘We’ve just spent £4,500 on upgrades and now I’ve got to drive all the way back to Britain, pay for fuel, ferries and wait for the insurance company to decide whether it can even be repaired.’

Allen had been planning to import the vehicle into Portugal under a VAT-free scheme, but fears the shooting and subsequent repairs may cause him to miss the deadline.

‘Technically, I could end up homeless because of this,’ he said.

The Brit also revealed that he recently lost his father, making the ordeal even more difficult.

‘My dad has just passed away as well, so it’s not been a great time.’

Allen expressed frustration at some reactions online, where social media users suggested he may somehow have been responsible for what happened.

‘I’ve had idiots saying it serves me right for parking there,’ he said.

‘They were looking at a photo taken later when the police had moved the vehicle. People don’t know the facts.’

Allen also questioned whether authorities would want the incident to receive significant publicity.

‘I’ve got the feeling some people want it kept quiet,’ he said.

”Swept under the table’, as we’d say in the UK. Maybe because they think it scares tourists away.’

The Spanish Eye has contacted the Guardia Civil for comment.