A serious cycling accident in La Rochelle involves a group of children

A group of 12 children from a leisure centre on bicycles were involved in a serious accident on Wednesday 5 June in La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime). Emmanuel Cayron, Secretary General of the Prefecture, told a press conference that seven children aged between 8 and 11 had been injured.

One seriously injured child was evacuated by helicopter to Tours. Two other children are in a state of absolute emergency, one transferred to Poitiers, and four others in relative emergency are hospitalised in La Rochelle.

A car hits the group

Emmanuel Cayron explained that a car had hit the group of children, without giving further details of the circumstances. He described the accident as a ‘tragedy’ and the scene as ‘harrowing’.

Driver aged 83

The driver, an 83-year-old woman, was briefly taken into police custody, but this was lifted due to her state of health. In a state of shock, she could not be questioned. Tests for alcohol and drugs were negative.

The children at the leisure centre

Catherine Leonidas, deputy mayor of La Rochelle, explained that the group was on their way to Parc Franck Delmas for an orienteering race, supervised by two guides. The children were wearing yellow waistcoats and helmets, as they were used to cycling.

Investigation and support

The public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation for involuntary injury.