A retired English teacher was crushed to death by a bulldozer while walking along the shore during a beach holiday in Italy.

Elisa Spadavecchia, 66, from Creazzo in the province of Vicenza, was on vacation when the tragedy occurred on 24th May at Pinarella di Cervia, a seaside town in the province of Ravenna.

Initial reports suggested she had been sunbathing, but an eyewitness later clarified that she had in fact been walking along the sand and paddling in the water.

She had bent down apparently to pick up a seashell when a nearby bulldozer suddenly reversed and struck her.

The bulldozer, operated by 54-year-old Lerry Gnoli, reportedly reversed without any audible warning.

Gnoli was driving despite having had his licence revoked following a fatal road accident in 2022. At the time of the beach incident, he was working to level the sand.

Gnoli has been charged with manslaughter and released pending further investigation. Police confirmed that he was banned from driving and had no valid licence.

The bulldozer was not authorised to be in operation on the beach at the time. It was a busy Saturday, and authorities say there was a heightened risk of such an accident.

The fatal incident took place in full view of beachgoers.

Emergency services responded quickly but were unable to save her. She died at the scene.

Elisa was a well-known English teacher at Liceo Scientifico Quadri in Vicenza before retiring.

Her death has shocked the local community and many former students, who have expressed deep grief at the news.

Gnoli is known for sharing videos of his work with heavy machinery on social media, including TikTok.

One such video was reportedly uploaded shortly before the incident.

Authorities are now investigating how and why unauthorised work was being carried out on the beach.

(MJ Leidig/newsX)