A French backpacker was killed after cycling across the road without realising a set of traffic lights was on green.

Camille Jeane Gavaudan, 25, was riding back to her hotel with American friend Tara Nicole Scurry, 34, after a day out in Ayutthaya province, Thailand on May 25.

The tourists approached a four-way intersection with a dual carriageway when they saw a row of cars stopped on the central lane waiting at a red traffic light to turn right.

Camille and Tara both mistakenly thought that the red light and stopped cars meant it was safe for them to cross to the central reservation.

However, as they moved off from the pavement they failed to look left to notice that a second traffic light suspended above the road and further back was showing green - allowing oncoming traffic to drive straight on at full speed.

Tragic dashcam footage from an approaching vehicle shows how the backpacker slowly pedalled into the road unaware that cars were still approaching with the light on green.

The car smashed into Camille and flung her into the air. Police and paramedics arrived at the scene to battle to revive Camille but she was pronounced dead.

Devastated friend Tara Nicole Scurry said: ‘We were riding back to the guesthouse to have dinner. But at the junction, the signal flashed at the same time and the cars were parked on both sides, so we just rode across the road.’

The driver, Satapana Khumsupa, 42, who was still in shock, explained that he followed the signal correctly when the female tourist suddenly appeared in the middle of the road.

He said: ‘There was a green light so I drove straight, I couldn’t stop the brakes in time. I am speechless, all I can do is apologise to the tourist’s family.’

Guesthouse owner Chaiyapon Wongchit, 51, said that the pair had rented the bicycles earlier in the day but never returned.

He said: ‘I remember being worried at 9 PM and was then contacted by authorities about what had happened. They both were planning to go to Chiang Mai. They were both enjoying their holiday and looking forward to travelling more.

‘What happened was unacceptable. The turn signal was red and the straight signal was green. The tourists are not familiar with how the system here works, so they must have thought they could ride while the light was red. I believe the signal light for crossings should be improved, so people won’t have to take risks whenever they cross.’

Officers said that the holidaymaker's body showed a number of broken bones and wounds. It has been sent for a post-mortem examination. The French Embassy in Bangkok has also been informed of the death.

Police Lieutenant Wirunkit Tantrakul said: ‘The body of the tourist has been taken to Thammasat University hospital for an autopsy. We will coordinate with the embassy to inform the deceased family.

'The driver has been questioned on suspicion of reckless driving.’