Peter Sagan of Slovakia looks back as he celebrates crossing the finish line ahead of Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, left, and Edvald Boasson Hagen of Norway, second left, to win the third stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 197 kilometers (122.4 miles) with start in Orchies and finish in Boulogne-sur-Mer, northern France, Tuesday July 3, 2012. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
July 03, 2012 - 10:19 AM
BOULOGNE-SUR-MER, France - A local official says a spectator suffered leg injuries after being hit by a vehicle in the publicity caravan at the Tour de France during the third stage of the race.
Georges Bos, the chief of staff for the Nord-Pas-de-Calais governor, told The Associated Press that the spectator was rushed to a local hospital but that "his injuries are not life-threatening."
The accident happened in the small town of Saint-Floris, about 70 kilometres after the start of the stage between Orchies and Boulogne-Sur-Mer.
Bos said the spectator suffered "one or several fractures on a leg."
He added that the vehicle driver was shocked but was not injured.
The publicity caravan comprises 160 vehicles promoting 33 brands. All the vehicles are allowed to use the route of the race about one hour ahead of the peloton.
A boy was killed in 2000 and another in 2002 after being hit by sponsors' vehicles. Tour organizers responded by reducing the number of the vehicles allowed on the course.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012