Princess Diana’s death through tragic accident on August 31, 1997 established itself as one of the greatest tragedies in contemporary human history.
When news reached the world about her sudden death people everywhere reacted with shock which led to a widespread wave of mourning throughout countries globally.
During her short time in Paris she stayed with Dodi Fayed before the tragic events of that evening took place. The couple made their departure from Hôtel Ritz through the back entrance as they tried to keep away from paparazzi stalking them.
The deputy head of hotel security Henri Paul controlled the black 1994 armored Mercedes-Benz S 280 saloon as he drove the group. The vehicle transported personal guard Trevor Rees-Jones next to driver Henri Paul and his client Dodi Fayed.
All passengers aboard the vehicle remained unbelted while photographers chased them and high-speed driving conditions created dangers.
Paris paparazzi followed the vehicle as it quickly drove through streets to capture what turned out to be the final memorable pictures of the princess.
According to reports the driver of Mercedes lost control during their tunnel approach. The car first hit another motor vehicle while en route to crashing into a concrete pillar which maintained the tunnel roof structure. Dramatic forces caused the Mercedes to spin uncontrollably before it hit the tunnel wall made of stone.
The smashed remains killed everybody inside the vehicle or subjected them to severe injuries. Emergency responders rushed to the scene after it became chaotic as they evacuated people inside the destroyed vehicle. The fatal chain of events entered an initial phase of destruction.
Emergency medical personnel confirmed the death of Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul because their injuries proved fatal.
Years later one of the emergency responders named Xavier Gourmelon revealed an unexpected development from the wreckage operation.
Gourmelon’s team along with him remained unaware they were performing rescue efforts on a global celebrity during that time.
During the wreckage search they discovered a living woman whose eyes revealed her emotional state but she needed immediate medical attention.
He attempted to comfort the woman when she turned her eyes toward him to say words that would torment him for life. “Oh my God, what’s happened?” She asked those words through a combination of fear and confusion in her voice.
During her periods of fainting Gourmelon tried to support Diana while keeping his promise of reassurance. She experienced cardiac arrest shortly afterward and the firefighters had to perform CPR for resuscitation.
During multiple failed attempts to revive her Diana regained consciousness then medical transport took her to the ambulance. Despite her lack of understanding about her severe internal problems Gourmelon still thought she had a good chance to live.
Doctors at Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital engaged in intense life-saving measures when they received the princess as their patient.
The hospital medical staff executed several lifeguarding procedures on her without success as she had a second fatal heart stoppage resulting in her permanent death.
People worldwide experienced emotional waves following her passing which resulted in widespread mourning for the “People’s Princess.” The tragic moment was marked by her final words which continue today to express the sorrowful outcome of her death.
According to Gourmelon those night memories marked his mind and have stayed there since that day. Later he revealed his heartfelt grief by accepting that he had genuine faith in her survival. He declared that memory from that night will exist with him until the end of time.
Many still vividly experience the severe anguish of the night which has survived through multiple years. The legacy of Diana persists to this day while her last words reveal the enormous tragedy that Paris experienced during that fateful night.
Feature Image Credit: (Instagram/@lady.diana._) (Screenshot/ Youtube@IBTimes UK)