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12-year-old spectator dies in hospital
MARSEILLE, France (CNNSI.com) -- A 12-year-old boy died on July 16 from injuries sustained when he was hit by a car while watching the Tour's 13th stage on July 14, Marseille's hospital administration said. Tour director Jean-Marie Leblanc said the Tour was "ruined" by the death. It was the first fatal accident involving a spectator since 1988. The car apparently hit the child while it attempted to overtake the publicity caravan on the route from Avignon to Draguignan. An emergency helicopter took the boy to the Timone hospital in Marseille, where doctors treated him for cranial trauma and hip and femur injuries. After the accident, Tour de France director Jean-Marie Leblanc cautioned spectators and drivers of vehicles preceding and trailing the cyclists to be careful during the 21-stage race, which ends on July 23 in Paris. Leblanc said it was a miracle no more accidents took place in the race as cars often go in and out at full speed between publicity lorries and vans on roads lined by thousands of fans. He also ordered on July 18 that a third of the 1,500 cars in the Tour entourage should reach the finish by an alternate route. Tour riders observed a minute of silence to mourn the boy's death before the start of Stage 16 in Courchevel.
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