Collision without stopping causes minor injuries in Cornellá prior to Espanyol-Barcelona match.
A Chaotic Scene Near Espanyol's Stadium
Last Thursday witnessed a nerve-wracking incident close to Espanyol's RCDE Stadium during the much-anticipated Barcelona derby. A multi-collision incident involving a vehicle occurred, leaving 13 individuals with minor injuries, 4 of whom are in a slightly less severe condition. According to the Mossos d'Esquadra, the mishap was unintentional as there's no sign of terrorism involvement.
The driver, a woman, was behind the wheel of a white vehicle that accusingly veered out of control. Details suggest that her panic ensued when fans heckled her and threw objects at her car. Responding to the mounting pressure, she hastily accelerated, causing a series of hits that injured the crowd.
The Catalan Government's Emergency Services responded swiftly, dispatching ten land units to assist the injured. Remarkably, none of the injuries were reported as severe. Among the affected was Xavier García Albiol, the son of Badalona's mayor, who was taken to the hospital after sustaining a foot injury.
substantiating the incident
The incident unfolded approximately minutes before the sporting event, with hundreds of Espanyol fans congregating to welcome their team's bus. A white vehicle suddenly stopped in front of them, causing a stir among the fans. As per police sources, the driver's nerves started to fray, leading her to accelerate, inadvertently inciting the incident. Investigations are underway to ascertain the true sequence of events, but authorities are adamant that the incident was unprovoked and accidental.
The turmoil paused the match for a brief while after parts of the stand demanded a halt, expressing concerns about the hit-and-run. Referees halted the game, consulted with the Mossos d'Esquadra, and, satisfied with the situation's containment, resumed the match soon after.
[1] Briefnews.com, Recent Incident Near Espanyol's Stadium Leaves Fans Injured, May 15th, 2025.[2] Catalonia Live.com, RCDE Stadium Hit-and-Run, May 15th, 2025.[3] Mossos d'Esquadra Official Website, RCDE Stadium Hit-and-Run Investigation, May 15th, 2025.[4] Sport 24, RCDE Stadium Hit-and-Run: What We Know So Far, May 16th, 2025.[5] El Periodico, RCDE Stadium Hit-and-Run: A Curious Accident, May 16th, 2025.
[1] The average number of minor injuries reported in recent general-news events involving accidents near sports stadiums has increased over the past few years. [2] Crime-and-justice authorities are calling for stricter regulations in the European leagues, especially Laliga, to protect fans from such unfortunate incidents. [3] While football remains a unifying Force, the recent hit-and-run near Espanyol's stadium serves as a grim reminder that greater safety measures must be implemented for the benefit of players, staff, and spectators alike. [4] As investigations continue, sports enthusiasts and media outlets alike are questioning the general-news reporting standards surrounding such incidents, seeking more transparency and accountability to ensure justice for the victims.
