Fall of a float at the Trouville-sur-Mer Christmas parade: “it was surreal”

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“We are still shocked…” Sunday December 1, 2024, in the morning, on the Trouville-sur-Mer market (Calvados), discussions inevitably revolved around the drama of the day before.

Saturday evening, the parade organized in the streets of the city center by the Municipality and the tourist office, marking the launch of the Christmas lights, was to be a celebration. It brought together several hundred spectators on the route all along Boulevard Fernand-Moureaux, who came to watch the “Fantaisie Céleste” parade by the Planète Vapeur company, including this majestic blue bird and its creatures with fantastic wings.

The festivities turned into drama when, around 7 p.m., as the float approached the end of its journey, the metal structure of the bird suddenly fell on a bend, collapsing on some of the spectators gathered along the Place Maréchal Foch, at the casino level.

“Fifteen minutes before, I was downstairs with my child…”

“I was at home, I live right next door, I arrived thirty seconds after the accident, I noticed that the tank had turned onto its left side on the road. The turn was poorly negotiated…” said Léo on Sunday morning, still marked by the episode of the day before. For this Trouville resident, “it was impressive, the moment they arrived, I looked out the window and I heard a big noise and people running everywhere… Fifteen minutes before, I was downstairs with my child on the shoulders…”

At the La Coupole bar restaurant, located just on the bend where the accident occurred, we were, unfortunately, in the front row. “I was on duty, the terrace was full, people were waiting for the parade,” relates Vanessa Dano, restaurant manager.

We heard screams coming from outside, and some people on the terrace rushed to help the people who were under the structure, then all the firefighters arrived. It was very impressive, with all the children who were there…

“Some people tried to hold back the tank”

Danielle and her son Laurent participated in the evening. “We followed the route, the parade along Boulevard Fernand-Moureaux, it was magnificent. There were a lot of people on the sides. At one point it got clogged, we realized that there was a problem…”

Lucas came from Paris with friends to spend the weekend and enjoy the parade. “It was a fun evening, launching the Christmas lights. Then we saw the machine tilt, before falling. It was surreal.” The young Parisian, however, notes the immediate solidarity of the public, “some people tried to hold the tank back to prevent it from falling on people…”

“Waking up was complicated, painful”

Late Sunday morning, around 11:30 a.m., Sylvie de Gaetano, mayor of Trouville-sur-Mer, appeared on the market, her face closed. She comes to meet the Trouvillais. “I am extremely shocked,” she concedes. “I experienced the tragedy live, I was one meter from the accident. The awakening was complicated, painful, I have a thought for the victims, two are friends…”

Late Saturday evening, the accident report showed thirteen injuries, including two in absolute emergency. They were transported to hospitals in Lisieux, Cricqueboeuf, Caen and Le Havre.

A psychological unit has been set up at the town hall. Among the witnesses to the accident, agents from the tourist office and the artists of the troupe, “were completely shocked” specifies Sylvie De Gaetano.

A few hours later, the circumstances of the accident still remain unclear. “The company's artists had anticipated this turn, they had done a scouting route during the day, they were even delighted with the quality of the road” indicates the mayor of Trouville.

It's a well-established troupe, they have already given five performances in Cabourg, without any problem. They are professionals.

Legal proceedings have been initiated. Surveillance videos will be used in particular to understand the circumstances of the accident.

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