CARDIFF, Nov 25: Thirteen spectators were injured at the Rally of Great Britain Saturday when the car of two-time world champion Carlos Sainz skidded off the road and ploughed into them.

Sainz’s Ford Focus left the road during the 11th special stage in the Brechfa Forest near Carmarthen, west Wales, and hit the fans in the spectator area.

Rally organisers said 13 people had been injured and taken to West Wales General Hospital in Carmarthen.

The hospital confirmed two children - aged 12 and 14 - had been admitted with lower limb injuries, one adult had head injuries and one adult back injuries. None of the injuries were considered to be life threatening.

Nine people had minor injuries and will be discharged later Saturday.

Sainz, who has now withdrawn from the rest of the race, expressed relief that none of the specatators in the accident had been seriously injured.

“The accident came after the crest of a hill,” the Spaniard said.

“At the braking point it was quite slippery and we went straight and could not stop. We hit a car and then we hit some spectators or marshals, I don’t know who they were.

“We immediately realised that people had been injured and advised the team on the radio.—AFP