Three Spectators Dead In Motor Rally Accident In France

News18

26-07-2025

Last Updated:
Several witnesses of the accident were in shock, and nine individuals were taken to a psychological support unit established in the nearby village of Saint-Just.
Three spectators lost their lives in central France on Saturday when a car driven by a 22-year-old woman racer veered off the road during an auto rally, authorities reported. The driver of the modified Peugeot 208 and her 51-year-old female co-driver were hospitalized, but their lives are not in danger, according to prosecutors.
The incident occurred near the town of Ambert in central France at approximately 11 am (0900 GMT) on Saturday.
Two men died on the spot, and prosecutors later announced that a third man, who was airlifted to the hospital, succumbed to his injuries.
The deceased were identified as two brothers, aged 70 and 60, and a 44-year-old man, according to the public prosecutor's office, which has launched an investigation into involuntary manslaughter.
Several witnesses of the accident were in shock, and nine individuals were taken to a psychological support unit established in the nearby village of Saint-Just.
'This is a tragedy for the world of racing," Joel Mathurin, the top government official for the department of Puy-de-Dome, told reporters at the scene.
The road at the accident site is bordered by cornfields. Several hours after the crash, pieces of plastic and glass fragments were still visible, according to an AFP journalist.
When asked if the victims were in an area closed to the public, Moisset stated she preferred to 'be cautious."
'It is still a little too early to be precise. The race was extremely well organised," she added.
Initially, the prefect had indicated that the spectators struck by the car were in a restricted area marked off by red tape.
The areas designated for the public are marked with green tape. Organised since 1965, the motor rally attracted 167 teams for its 32nd edition.
In last year's rally, a race marshal died.
Following the accident on Saturday, rally organisers issued a brief statement saying the race was halted at 10:49 am. All spectators were asked to leave the scene, and the event's award ceremony was cancelled.
Dozens of firefighters and police were dispatched to the scene. The investigation is 'in its early stages," the prosecutor said.
The Peugeot 208 car is to be examined. The road where the accident occurred, which is almost a straight line according to authorities, has been closed.
The mayor of Saint-Just, Francois Chautard, noted that the rally had passed through his village in recent years. He mentioned seeing the 'dented" car as it was being towed away.
'I think the crash was violent," he said.
With AFP Inputs
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