At least 18 cyclists were injured in a car collision on a suburban highway in the Loire department in central France, France Bleu reported noting that one of the injured was taken to hospital in critical condition.

According to preliminary data, a group of cyclists were crossing the bridge over the D498 highway near Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert when a car approached from behind.

The group, belonging to the local sports club, consisted of 14 minors and four adult attendants. The most serious injuries were received by a 14-year-old teenager, he was taken to the hospital of Saint-Etienne.