A beloved pétanque player died yesterday after being struck by a metal boule during a regional tournament in the South of France. The incident occurred in the village of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where the 68-year-old victim, a retiree and local club veteran, was caught in the path of an errant throw.
Witnesses said the boule, weighing about 700 grams, struck him in the temple during a tight match. Paramedics rushed to the scene but he was declared dead in hospital, a local prosecutor confirmed. The player who released the fatal shot was said to be 'in shock'. Police are treating it as a tragic accident, no charges will be filed.
Pétanque, a slow-paced cousin of boules, is rarely deadly. Fatalities from direct hits are extremely rare, but the small metal balls can reach speeds approaching 40 km/h. 'I played for 40 years. I never thought I could kill a friend with a boule,' said club president Jacques Renard.
The tournament has been cancelled. France's pétanque federation said it would review safety rules, perhaps suggesting spectators and players wear protective headgear. For now, the village mourns a man who loved the sport, killed by its most innocent tool.
