The driver lost control of his vehicle on the winding roads of the 185.5-km 13th stage from Avignon to Draguignan in Provence, they said.

The girl was flown to hospital in Marseille with a broken leg and concussion and her condition was described as serious.

A second spectator was hit by another car 70 kms further down the course but suffered only minor injuries.

A television motorcycle also slipped over as its rider tried to avoid French competitor Francois Simon who had crashed. No-one was seriously injured in the incident.