A vehicle from the Tour de France caravan crashes into the crowd, leaving eight people injured

An accident that occurred just meters from the finish line of the ninth stage of the Tour de France 2026 left eight spectators injured this Sunday in Ussel. The incident happened when a vehicle traveling within the race caravan lost control and ended up crashing into the barriers located next to the public.

Eight spectators injured after being struck by a vehicle from the Tour de France caravan

The events took place around 5:00 PM, approximately twenty minutes before the cyclists reached the finish line. The vehicle veered off its path about 350 meters from the finish and hit the metal barriers installed on the left side of the road, behind which numerous fans were located.

According to information provided by local authorities to the AFP agency, eight people were injured. Seven of them suffered minor injuries, while a 59-year-old woman was more seriously injured, although her condition is not life-threatening.

The driver may have suffered a medical issue

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Initial investigations suggest that the driver of the vehicle, a man in his 60s, may have suffered a medical issue before losing control. This is currently the main hypothesis being considered by authorities to explain the accident.

The vehicle was part of the Tour de France convoy and, according to L’Équipe, was transporting journalists from the French media at the time of the impact.

The Tulle Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the accident. The driver was not arrested or placed in police custody.

Despite the proximity of the incident to the finish line, the ninth stage was able to conclude normally, with Mathieu van der Poel winning in Ussel after resolving the day's breakaway in a sprint.