The 47th edition of the 24 Heures Motonautiques de Rouen was marred by an accident that claimed the life of a policeman on duty on the Seine River boat corse.
It happened at 06h20 on Sunday, 02 May 2010 morning, more than 14 hours after the start of the race. A merchant ship which was sailing up the river, was escorted by three security boats driven by the Gendarmes of the Brigade Fluviale de Grand-Quevilly. The convoy in direction of Paris passed beside the boat course, according to the procedure adopted by the organizers and the authorities.
Suddenly, the Formule S850 racing boat #51 driven by Fréd Billy, went out of control and collided with one of the security Zodiac boats. The two policeman on board were thrown into water. Despite the immediate intervention by emergency doctors, the condition of one of them was severe enough for a rescue helicopter to be called to quickly evacuate him to a hospital. The Adjudant of Gendarmerie Nicolas Joos, aged 40, was killed at the scene. His colleague sustained a broken leg; Fréd Billy, 36, at his first start in the 24 Heures Motonautiques de Rouen, known as the toughest boat race in the world, escaped unhurt. He shared the Hall - Evinrude #51 entered by team Motonautisme INSA, with J. Pacheco-Gaë Gascoin-V. Przybylski.
After the accident the race was immediately stopped.
R.I.P
