Supporters line the length of the route

The driver had swerved along the shoulder of the road to make room for a passing car as fans lined the route to watch the cyclists heading to Draguignan.

An emergency helicopter took the boy to the Timone hospital in the southern port city of Marseille.

Doctors treated him for cranial trauma and hip and femur injuries, but he was in a coma and never regained consciousness.

After the accident the Tour de France director, Jean-Marie Leblanc, urged caution.

He advised spectators and drivers of vehicles preceding and trailing the cyclists to be careful during the race.