RALLY DAKAR 2022

French driver injured in rally accident will be repatriated to France

A French driver from the 2022 edition of the Dakar Rally, who was injured in his leg on Thursday (30) after his car exploded near Jeddah, was operated on in Saudi Arabia and should be repatriated, announced this Saturday (1) a organization of the event.

After organizers had previously explained that they did not exclude the possibility of "a malicious act", Saudi authorities ruled out the "crime" hypothesis. However, according to an AFP journalist, security around the rally caravan has been tightened.

In a Twitter message, the Saudi Arabian Interior Minister dismissed any "suspicion of criminal order" to explain the "accident". According to the official, five Frenchmen were in the assistance car and "one was hospitalized and is in a reassuring state".

 “The driver of the car was seriously injured in the leg and had to undergo surgery. His condition is improving [...] The vehicle stopped abruptly due to a sudden explosion, the reason for which is unknown until now. The Saudi police immediately attended the scene and began their investigations, without ruling out any possibility, including malicious action - said the statement from the organization of the test, ASO, broadcast before the tweet of the Saudi minister.

The race director, David Castera, detailed in an interview on the website 'francetvinfo.fr' that the driver is Philippe Boutron, who participated in the Dakar for the ninth time and is also known for being president of the US Orleans football club, of the French second division .

* AFP