A man has died after a boulder fell onto his car near Benaojan in inland Malaga.

The 41-year-old was driving along the MA-8400 on Monday afternoon when the large rock struck the windscreen.

Two men aged 21 and a 19-year-old woman were also travelling in the vehicle. All three were taken to Ronda’s regional hospital.

Emergency service 112 received the alarm at 4.11pm, with a caller reporting that a rock had fallen from the mountainside onto a car, trapping someone inside.

Firefighters, Guardia Civil officers and ambulance crews attended, but could not save the driver.

The incident happened on the road connecting Benaojan with Estacion de Benaojan and Ronda.

A witness quoted by El Pais described several rocks suddenly falling from the slope, with a particularly large one hitting the car near a viewpoint and the path towards the river.

Three distressed occupants then emerged from the vehicle, the witness said.

Initial reports suggest the rock may have measured around one metre long and 80cm wide.

Benaojan mayor Guillermo Becerra confirmed the incident and said the deceased was not believed to be a resident of the municipality.

The cause of the rockfall has not been established, although sources cited in local reports suggested it could be linked to the heavy rain affecting the area since Saturday.

The Ronda district was under an orange rain warning on Monday, following further overnight downpours and thunderstorms.

Ronda council reported more than 30 weather-related incidents on Saturday, including flooding in businesses, homes and the town’s bullring.

Almost 30mm of rain fell in less than an hour during that episode, overwhelming drains and turning some streets into torrents.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.