Woman Hit By Motorcycle At Tour de France, Dies

BESANCON, France — A woman crossing the road during the Tour de France was killed Saturday when she was hit by a police motorcycle escorting riders. Two other fans were injured after the motorcycle skidded into them.

The accident happened in the early afternoon in Wittelsheim in eastern France during the 14th stage, a 124-mile route from Colmar to Besancon. A few breakaway riders had just ridden through the town center, Tour organizers said.

Organizers identified the victim as a 61-year-old woman. Race medical teams treated her immediately before emergency staffers arrived.

The accident happened 24 miles into the stage. After hitting the woman, the motorcycle skidded into two other fans. A 36-year-old complained of neck pain, and a 61-year-old broke a leg. They were taken to a hospital and are not in serious condition, Renard said. They were identified only by age.

Seven-time Tour champion Lance Armstrong expressed condolences to the woman's family on his Twitter feed.

"There's many close calls between riders and spectators ... Sad news. May she RIP," he wrote.

Lt. Col. Thierry Renard said the officer on the motorcycle was a member of France's elite Republican Guard and he was unable to avoid the woman.

The officer headed the Guard's "yellow flags" unit at the Tour, made up of experienced drivers, Tour director Christian Prudhomme said. Their job is to spot obstacles on the road and clear the path for the rider pack. The officers often drive at high speeds.

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Renard said he had no reason to question the driving of the motorcyclist, who had already worked on the Tour several times.

Tour organizers will use a previously scheduled commemoration before Sunday's 15th stage in Pontarlier to honor the woman. The minute of silence was already planned to remember a young cycling fan from the region who died in a car crash last month.

Deadly accidents are rare on the Tour de France. One boy was killed in 2000 and another in 2002 after being hit by sponsors' vehicles.

Tour organizers responded by reducing the number of sponsor vehicles on the course. For every race stage, an alternate itinerary is provided to relieve vehicle congestion.

"Security is the priority of Tour de France organizers," Prudhomme said. "There is absolutely no doubt about that."

Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux ordered a police inquiry and reminded spectators to take all precautions. A total of 23,000 police officers are deployed on the Tour.

The motorcycle accident came a day after two riders were slightly injured by shots from what French authorities suspect was an air rifle.

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Associated Press Writers Deborah Seward and Matthieu Wintrebert in Paris contributed to this report.

Comments

[Biolante]

That would totally happen to me if I went there.

[hotbytes]

They invented television for reasons like this one. And if you have to "be there", common sense is strongly recommended. Perhaps the woman who was struck (and k!lled) was part of the so-called natural selection process.

[wilray]

I believe in safety first, but c'mon, it is a bicycle race. It isn't the running of the bulls at Pamplona, it isn't an air show, it isn't unlimited hydroplane racing, and it isn't the Indy 500. To be killed by a motorcycle at a bicycle race is a freak occurrence that one can hardly anticipate. I would more likely expect to be hit with a flying golf club at a golf tourney, or to beaned and killed at a baseball game. Would you consider a person to be killed in those situations to be part of the natural selection process?

[Reader451]

There are many many motorcycles on the race, therte are more motorcycles than bicycles. It was unfortunate, it was saddening but it could have been prevented, and far from freak accident. Someone treid to cross a race course, while vehicles were still pasing.

[droog007]

Lemmings.

[Dannydel]

I'm always amazed nobody gets hurt as 10,000 frantic fans try to get as close as they can to the riders. Pretty scary stuff and this is tragic.

[wm1066]

Agreed, especially on the mountian passes.

[PepeLepew]

I do think they block the fans away from steep downhill areas.

[Forester]

Also the riders must be focused on the other riders while the crowds are surging onto the course and the escort vehicles are right next to them. Just seems like a high potential for more of this kind of thing.

[toppermost]

hate to say it but thats not the case. people get hit / run over constantly at the race (they are idiots to be sure...more often than not drunk). but the death itself rare.

[martinchill]

and for what??

'hey look! here they com.... go.'

[PepeLepew]

It's all the wine and French food on the side of the road for hours beforehand is why they have a good time.

[dvsinla]

iit's always sad when someone is killed but 'm sure the french will find a way to blame Lance Armstrong for this

[hidflect]

Under France's Samaritan Law if Lance Armstrong was passing and didn't stop to help then indeed he is guilty of a crime. Don't give them ideas...

[DrToketee]

So in France if I were to pass someone who was freshly killed, I would be required to stop to help him ... hmmm, it does sound like the French, doesn't it? "Je suis morte! Aidez-moi!"

[Decipherer]

There are similar laws in effect in many U.S. states as well, not to mention it is a principle of common law.

[Yank in France]

I live in France and I can tell you Armstrong is the rage here at this time. Yes, he probably cheated on the doping tests, and yes certain backward Americans supported him, despite his cheating, but that is history. The French love his courage in coming back, and his progress is being followed very closely.

[We-Are-The-Ones]

There is no evidence that Armstrong ever cheated, despite years of harassment by French authorities. If anyone is backwards it is the French, who are jealous of a superior American athlete.

When he wins this time, the inferior French will hate his superiority all over again.

[hydeparksq]

wow...there must be two France's. The one I've been in is full of ppl who can't stand Armstrong...

[cmarsh]

One reason to like Lance this year is the additional coverage that his participation brings. It can be difficult to follow cycling while living in America.

[dappleganger]

The French are only jealous and have harassed Armstrong and made up lies over the years. He has always come out clean and will continue to do so because he trains hard and is naturally gifted at cycling. The French only love courage when they think Lance is going to lose.

[hotbytes]

Now, the "blaming habit" can only be found among the American Republicans (those who are on Bush camp).

[NoMercy]

No, they blame her for crossing the street.

I'm sick of your jingoism.

[in4success]

no sheet, huh...the o'rielly france boycott was a bust. move on already.....

[hydeparksq]

ha...you're so right!