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Accident mars celebration
60 injured as car plows into crowd on Champs-Elysees
Posted: Sunday July 12, 1998 11:21 PM
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Police and paramedics attend to fans injured in the accident (AP) |
PARIS (AP) -- An apparently panicked driver plowed into a group of fans
celebrating France's World
Cup victory early Monday, injuring about 60 people, including seven
seriously, rescue officials said.
The accident happened as the city erupted in joy after France's 3-0 victory
over Brazil
in Sunday's championship game. At least a million people streamed to the
Champs-Elysees to celebrate.
The car was zigzagging down the avenue from the Arc de Triomphe in a black
Volkswagen and plowed into the partying fans, rescue officials said.
"Apparently it was a crazy car which drove for several dozen meters
[yards], knocking over people on its way," said Cmdr. Philippe Lavoil, a
rescue official. Two hundred rescue workers in at least a dozen ambulances
arrived to treat victims.
The driver, a woman, was attacked by the crowd before police intervened.
Witnesses said the woman cut down revelers over a 50-yard swath, and then
dragged some them for several yards.
"A car was coming down the Champs-Elysees in the wrong direction," said
witness Stephan Gueroui. "It hit a group who was crossing."
Gueroui's face was swollen and bleeding, after he got caught in a brawl.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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