Three teenagers have tragically drowned after the car they were in crashed into a private swimming pool in southern France, with investigators discovering nitrous oxide canisters inside the vehicle.
A Fatal Plunge in Alès
The horrific incident occurred in the town of Alès early on Wednesday morning. A Peugeot 207, driven by a 19-year-old who owned the insured vehicle, veered off the road. It smashed through a wall and landed in a swimming pool that was only slightly larger than the car itself.
Public prosecutor Abdelkrim Grini stated that the three occupants – aged 14, 15 and 19 – were "physically unable to open the doors" due to the confined space. He confirmed, "the width of the pool was not large enough to open the doors... They were unfortunately trapped inside the vehicle." All three youths drowned before firefighters could pull the car from the water.
Evidence of Intoxicants Found
Following the recovery of the vehicle, authorities made a disturbing discovery. Multiple nitrous oxide canisters were found inside the car; some were still full, while others were empty. The colourless gas, often called 'laughing gas' or 'hippy crack', is inhaled for recreational purposes.
In addition to the gas canisters, investigators also found cannabis, bottles of alcohol, and a small amount of cash. Initial assessments indicated that the two front-seat passengers were not wearing seatbelts. A full medical examination is underway to determine if the driver had ingested nitrous oxide prior to the crash.
Ongoing Investigation and Wider Concerns
The public prosecutor's office in Alès has launched an investigation into the cause of the deaths. The probe will piece together the events leading up to the early-morning accident. The mayor of Alès, Christophe Rivenq, noted the road had a 30 km/h (18 mph) speed limit and was not inherently dangerous unless a driver was speeding.
Prosecutor Grini highlighted a growing trend, stating, "At our level, we are seeing more and more arrests of people who have consumed nitrous oxide while driving a vehicle." The three victims were known to authorities for previous involvement in drug-related activities. BFMTV reported the 15-year-old had been in police custody for drug trafficking just last weekend.
Nitrous oxide, originally used in the food industry, was classified as a Class C drug in the United Kingdom in 2023 following a series of overdoses and road traffic accidents.
