Tour de France press vehicle crash injures eight spectators in Ussel

A press vehicle belonging to the French sports newspaper L’Équipe lost control after the driver reportedly suffered a medical emergency and collided with crowd barriers about 500 metres from the finish line of the ninth stage in Ussel, Corrèze. The impact struck spectators, leaving eight people injured – seven with minor wounds and one in a serious but non‑life‑threatening condition.

Local authorities opened a criminal investigation; the driver was not taken into custody. Witnesses described the scene, with one reporting, “I heard a noise… I saw people falling and getting up, some lying on the ground.” The incident did not affect the cyclists’ performance or the stage result, which was won by Mathieu Van der Poel, and the race continued without interruption. Officials are reviewing safety protocols for race‑accredited vehicles.

The Tour de France organization (ASO) and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) have pledged to examine the circumstances and consider additional measures to protect large crowds along the route.