It was from Percy hospital, in Clamart, that Philippe Boutron returned to the terrible accident he suffered at the end of December during the Dakar 2022, in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. Seriously injured in both legs in the explosion of his assistance vehicle – a bomb attack, according to the pilot and his relatives – the Orleans native was repatriated to France on January 3, before being placed in a coma artificial and to undergo several skin grafts.
Asked by France Blue, the pilot, obviously weakened, the pilot recounted his relief, following having feared for a time of being amputated: “The situation is improving, I was hit in both legs, I will have another operation next Monday, I don’t know not exactly when I’ll be able to walk once more, but my legs are saved and that’s the main thing. We are dealing with great professionals here. »
“The bomb was placed under the floor”
Despite the circumstances, the pilot was “still in good spirits”, even though he was well aware that his recovery would be long. “Patience is not my first quality. It’s going to be the hardest part to manage, but that’s fine, morale is good. »
Of the explosion, Philippe Boutron has few memories. “There was a big shock, we didn’t expect it at all,” he recalls. “The bomb was placed under the floor, I took it in the legs,” says the pilot once more. “At the time”, he does not understand what is happening to him. But today, it is certain: it is an “attack”.
French investigators awaiting Saudi authorization
He himself was questioned “twice” by the General Directorate of Internal Security, as were his colleagues from the Sodicars team, but he “does not know more regarding the investigation” for the moment. The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation following the fact for attempted assassinations in connection with a terrorist enterprise.
According to RMC, the General Directorate of Internal Security (DGSI) is also interested in the explosion of a second vehicle on the night of December 31 to January 1, during a connection between Jeddah and Ha’il. To date, French investigators are still awaiting Saudi authorization to go and conduct their investigations on the spot. But Saudi Arabia does not seem to be the most cooperative.