On Saturday morning at the 2024 Turin Motor Show in northern Italy, a Lancia 037 rally car unexpectedly crashed into a group of spectators. The driver lost control of the vehicle during a parade showcasing rare motorsport and exotic cars in Piazza San Carlo, a popular gathering place.
The exact reasons for the incident remain unclear, according to reports from ANSA. The scene bore a resemblance to typical accidents at car meets, where an unwary attendee can sometimes be caught off guard by a departing muscle car. However, the situation was heightened with the involvement of the Lancia Rally 037, a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicle known for its participation in the high-stakes Group B rally class of the 1980s. This incident was not only serious due to the damage to the priceless car but also for the injuries sustained by people.
Initial reports from Italian media outlets such as ANSA and Notizie indicated that 12 spectators were injured; however, that number has since been updated to 15. Most of those hurt incurred minor injuries, although one young woman reportedly suffered a broken leg. Additionally, Notizie has reported that a man was urgently transported to the hospital for surgery due to a deep laceration in his groin.
Witnesses at the auto show captured video of the incident, which has since been shared on YouTube. Additional footage from various angles is emerging online, including a brief clip shared on TikTok by a spectator standing just a few feet from the crash site.
In the footage, the Lancia can be heard revving loudly, seemingly preparing for a thrilling display for the audience. As it accelerates, the car unexpectedly veers to the right, crashing into the barricades separating the crowd from the event. First responders quickly arrived on the scene, and a passenger from the Lancia emerged apparently uninjured.
Authorities are investigating the incident, seeking to determine why the driver lost control of the vehicle. The 2024 Turin Auto Show, which ran from September 13 to 16, proceeded after the crash, but the event was overshadowed by this alarming occurrence, marking the show’s long history that began in Turin in 1900, making it one of the world’s oldest auto exhibitions.
