Princess Diana of Wales 26 years ago was involved in a tragic car crash in Paris that claimed her life, an untold story unfolds as one firefighter shares a poignant moment with the beloved princess. As the world mourned her loss, we revisit the heart-wrenching night that forever changed history.
The Fateful Night: An Unforeseen Tragedy
On August 31, 1997, tragedy struck when the Princess of Wales, Diana, lost her life in a horrifying car crash in the heart of Paris. Alongside her, the accident also claimed the lives of her companion, Dodi Fayed, and the vehicle’s driver. The devastating collision occurred in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel, triggering a swift response from the emergency services.
The upcoming season of “The Crown” on Netflix, set to premiere on November 16, promises to revisit these heartrending events and shed new light on the iconic princess’s final moments.
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Among the first responders on the scene was firefighter Xavier Gourmelon, who initially had no inkling of the identity of the woman he was aiding. Her eyes open and conscious, Diana’s condition appeared far less dire than it was.
Princess Diana Last Words
In a remarkable display of compassion, Gourmelon held the princess’s hand, offering words of comfort and reassurance. In a moment etched in history, Diana inquired, “My God, what’s happened?” Sadly, her life took a tragic turn, and she suffered a cardiac arrest moments later.
Gourmelon later recounted, “I massaged her heart, and a few seconds later, she started breathing again. It was a relief, of course, because, as a first responder, you want to save lives, and that’s what I thought I had done. To be honest, I thought she would live. As far as I knew when she was in the ambulance, she was alive, and I expected her to live. But I found out later she had died in the hospital. It was very upsetting.”
He went on to admit that he had no idea at the time that the woman he was assisting was Princess Diana. It wasn’t until she was placed in the ambulance that one of the paramedics revealed her true identity.
A Heartbreaking Farewell
Despite the tireless efforts of medical professionals, Princess Diana was declared dead at 4 a.m. local time, 3 a.m. in the UK, at Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital in Paris. Mourners from around the world gathered to pay their respects, leaving bouquets, cards, and photographs outside Kensington Palace in London in a touching tribute to the beloved princess.
