Briton crashes car into cafe terrace, injuring three in south-west France

A British man living in France crashed his car into the terrace of cafe in a commune in Tarn-et-Garonne on September 2, injuring several people. 

The incident took place in Dieupentale, near Montauban, when the electric car, left the car park beside the mairie, crossed the road and crashed into the terrace of Le Dieup cafe, the Tarn-et-Garonne prefecture confirmed to The Connexion. 

“The driver was apparently under the influence of alcohol and crashed into the cafe terrace,” the prefecture said. A breathalyser alcohol test carried out on the driver was said to have registered positive. 

Four people were injured in the incident, including the driver of the vehicle. Three cafe customers were taken to hospital, including a 31-year-old woman who was seriously hurt. The other two, a woman aged 34 and a man aged 37, were taken to Montauban hospital with less serious injuries. 

One of them has been discharged, the gendarmerie de Tarn-et-Garonne told The Connexion. 

Another customer, aged 25, was checked by emergency responders at the scene and was able to leave without being taken to hospital. 

The driver is a British 54-year old man, who is resident in France. He suffered a head injury and was taken to hospital but his injuries are understood to be minor.

Around 20 firefighters and 10 gendarmes attended the scene. The exact circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation.

The crash also led to temporary traffic restrictions around the commune's centre, with some roads closed or diverted while emergency crews dealt with the aftermath and police carried out their enquiries.