Serious accident during the National Rally of Saint-Émilion (Gironde). This Saturday, shortly before noon, three members of the organization were hit by a car taking part in the race. The three victims, two women, aged 44 and 65, and a 73-year-old man, were transferred “in serious condition” to the Bordeaux University Hospital for one, and to the Libourne hospital center for the other two, after emergency services, the prefecture told AFP, confirming information from the Sud Ouest newspaper.
The accident occurred at a place called Croix du Gui, in the wine-growing town of Lussac, where the first special of the 31st edition of this car rally took place. According to the mayor of Lussac Dorothée Breton, the driver lost control of his vehicle “after a bump”, hitting these three officials located “back from the road” near a plot of vines. They were responsible for timing the passage times of the runners, specifies Sud Ouest.
The interrupted race
“The wounded were immediately taken care of, and their vital prognoses were not engaged during their evacuation,” she added. The pilot and his co-pilot were slightly injured, but their condition did not require evacuation, added the same source.
The race, which took place Friday and Saturday in four municipalities in the area, was interrupted. An investigation has been opened to determine responsibility for the accident, indicates Sud Ouest.
This is not the first time that this type of accident has marred motor racing. In June 2022, two spectators were seriously injured during a rally in Haute-Saône. Again, the pilot had veered off the road.