A serious road accident four young victims on Tuesday, July 28, near Laon, in the region Hauts-de-France. The precise circumstances of the drama remain to be determined, according to the deputy minister of Transport, Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, who visited the site.

Summary Two drivers interviewed by the police, Jean-Baptiste Djebbari A new accident involving children

[updated on July 28, at 22h23] Four children were killed in a road accident, on Tuesday, July 28. The incident occurred around 15 hours, on the RN2, near Laon, in the Aisne. Several vehicles were involved in the accident, with a heavy weight. The four victims, aged 9 to 14 years of age were trapped in the fire of the car. The minister for Transport, Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, visited the site. Major emergency resources were deployed to bring relief to people who were in the vehicles.

Accident near Laon : two drivers interviewed by the police

According to the information of our colleagues, three vehicles were involved in violent clashes at the level of the college Charlemagne. It would be a car, a utility and a truck. The car, a Toyota, would have caught on fire in the aftermath of shocks. The driver of the car turned black, in which were travelling the 4 young victims, has been conducted by helicopter to the hospital of Amiens, in a serious condition, but his prognosis would not be engaged, according the minister for Transport. According to the prefect of the Aisne, interviewed by Franceinfo, that would be the mother of one of the children, the other three being cousins. Other people would also be injured.

Two drivers were taken into police custody after the accident and are heard by the police to determine the circumstances of the accident. It is the driver of the truck and the driver of the utility, the two vehicles collided with the Toyota. Of tests for alcohol and narcotics have been made, and would be negative. Moreover, the prefect of the Aisne has indicated that they have opened a cell of psychological support.

The minister of Transport, Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, visited the site

The deputy minister of Transport visited the site in the afternoon. He wished to “express [s]one emotion to the families and relatives of the victims”. Jean-Baptiste Djebbari also thanked the prefecture and the fire brigade mobilized. It has outlined the circumstances of the accident : a vehicle was struck by a truck that was travelling in the opposite direction, as well as by another vehicle from the rear. These two shocks have caused the fire, according to the minister. “The circumstances are not completely clear, they will obviously be the subject of investigations, administrative and judicial,” said Jean-Baptiste Djebbari.

For the minister, the state of the road is not in question in this drama. It confirms that the RN2 is in good condition and well maintained. Jean-Baptiste Djebbari also held to send a message to the French : “These are accidents that happen less frequently, with a high number as that of the victims very young, but I think it should just alert us all as citizens to be extraordinarily vigilant on the roads for our daily trips to these summer periods.”

A new tragedy involving children