Princess Diana Crash Scene Photos Exposed On 22-Year Death Anniversary
Aug. 31 2019, Published 12:11 p.m. ET
This Saturday marks the 22nd anniversary of the shocking death of Princess Diana in Paris.
On August 31, 1997, Prince Charles' ex-wife died after a car accident with her wealthy Egyptian playboy boyfriend Dodi Fayed, 42, while they were on vacation. She was just 36 years old.
Diana, the mother of Princes William and Harry, died as a result of injuries sustained in the car crash in the Pont de l'Alma road tunnel.
The driver, Henri Paul, was traveling at a high speed when he crashed the Mercedes S280 into a pillar in the tunnel. Diana, Fayed, and Paul died.
The only survivor of the crash was Di's British bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones, who sustained multiple serious facial injuries.
Following the crash, an 18-month French judicial investigation found that the accident was caused by chauffeur Paul, who lost control of the car while he was drunk.
Still, many conspiracy theorists aren't satisfied about the ruling and have other ideas about how Diana died.
In the years after Diana's end, her former husband Charles married his longtime mistress Camilla Parker Bowles, oldest son William tied the knot with Kate Middleton, and Harry wed actress Meghan Markle.
Both of Diana's boys started their own families but have never gotten over their mother's untimely death.
Every year, the royal family marks the sad anniversary of her passing on August 31.
Scroll through Radar's gallery to see the beloved royal's death scene photos and relive the horror that shocked the world.
Mercedes Death Trap
Driver Paul hit a pillar in the tunnel at 60–70 mph. As Diana and the others lay in the car, photographers and others rushed to help and tried to free the victims by opening the doors.
Last Words?
On the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death in 2017, French firefighter Xavier Gourmelon told The Sun that he heard Diana say, "My God, what's happened?" before rescuers helped her out of the car. She then went into cardiac arrest.
Near Death In Tunnel
Diana reportedly wasn't wearing a seat belt in the Mercedes. Fireman Gourmelon, who was one of the first on the scene of the wreck, said he gave her CPR.
Save Attempt
The sight of Diana's car accident shocked onlookers. Gourmelon testified at the 2007 inquest but otherwise kept his story a secret until the 20-year anniversary of the Princess' death. He said she seemed stable when she left for the hospital in an ambulance.
Idyllic To Horrific
Princess Di and Dodi, son and heir to Egyptian billionaire and Harrods Department store owner Mohamed Al-Fayed, stunned many with their sudden romance. Things were heating up when she decided to vacation with him in Paris. But both died due to the wreck.
Terrible Timeline
Diana went into cardiac arrest after being removed from the crushed Mercedes at 1:00 a.m. After external cardiopulmonary resuscitation, her heart started beating again. The royal was moved to an ambulance at 1:18 am and arrived at the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital at 2:06 am. She died at 4:00 a.m. in Paris.
Other Vehicles Involved?
There are still mysteries about what, exactly, happened in the Princess of Wales' tunnel of death. Rumors have flown that a white car clipped the Mercedes before the accident.
- How A Fiat Uno Caused The Crash That Killed Princess Diana 25 Years Ago, According To A New Investigation
- ‘Fatal Voyage: Diana Case Solved’ Retraces Princess’ Final Hours in Paris — and the ‘Last Thing She Saw’ Before Her Death
- Princess Diana Death Shocker: French Police Accused Of Hiding Key Witness Involved In Fatal Crash
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Grim Symbol
t's believed the wreckage of the Mercedes S280 in which Diana was fatally injured was finally destroyed years the inquest verdicts on her death.
Not Road Ready?
A 2017 TV documentary aired claims that the car that Princess Diana died in was a death trap that had been written off but was later rebuilt and put back on the road.
New Boyfriend
Diana and Dodi had been staying at the famed Ritz Hotel in Paris together—before they took their fatal ride.
Loss Of An Icon
The Princess and her lover's driver Henri Paul was reportedly drunk and on anti-depressants when he lost control of the Mercedes as he roared through the tunnel trying to shake off paparazzi photographers.
Last To Go
While Dodi and the driver Paul died instantly in the accident, Diana passed away from her injuries in a nearby hospital a few hours later.
Onlookers said she had no blood on her.
Many Tributes
Beautiful Diana's death devastated fans around the world.
People’s Princess
Millions watched her public funeral on television on September 6, 1997.
Never Forgotten
The way Diana lived and died will be remembered every August 31. Harry's wife Meghan is set to make her first visit to his mom's burial site in honor of the 22nd anniversary of her death.