Lancia 037 crashes into crowd in Turin, injuring 12

Thankfully, most spectators suffered only minor injuries in the accident, which could have easily been avoided.

Twelve people were injured when a Lancia 037 Group B rally car rammed into spectators at the Turin Motor Show in Italy last weekend.

Video footage from the accident scene shows the Lancia travelling behind two Ferraris, and soon after the drivers enter a large stretch of paved road, they appear to hit the accelerator. As the car is a rear-wheel drive rally car with no traction control, the rear wheels quickly lose traction and the Lancia slides to the right, crashing through a fence and into a group of onlookers.

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Details about the crashed aircraft, number 037, are limited, but it is believed to be one of about 215 built between 1982 and 1984 and not a replica. Local publication ANSA said 12 people were injured in the crash, and while most suffered only minor injuries, one woman suffered cuts and bruises, and another was taken to a local hospital with a suspected broken leg.

The car was driven by amateur driver Barbara Riolgo and was said to belong to her husband Ivano Toppino, a successful local car builder. Their 23-year-old daughter Alessia was sitting in the passenger seat, Open reported.

An official cause of the accident has not yet been announced, but we suspect the rally car’s powerful supercharged inline-four engine, rear-wheel drive, and lack of modern safety systems all contributed to the accident. Additionally, Riogo’s foot was on a road with low grip, which could have caused the vehicle to lose traction sooner than she intended. The owner is also investigating whether there was a mechanical problem with the vehicle at the time.

Luckily, it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. If the Lancia had been going faster, it could have hit more people, injured others, or worse, killed someone.

Screenshot from YouTube@Rally Time