The tragic death of Princess Diana in August 1997 shocked the world. Just 36 years old at the time, Diana died following a car crash in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel in Paris.

Her companion, Dodi Fayed, and the driver, Henri Paul, also died. Only bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones survived, though with serious injuries.

A report released in 2012 uncovered details from that night, including how Diana initially refused treatment and how photographs of her receiving medical care were later destroyed by French authorities.

What Led to the Crash

At the time of her death, Diana was in a widely publicized relationship with Dodi Fayed, son of Mohamed Al Fayed, the former owner of Harrods. The couple had just returned from a Mediterranean holiday aboard Dodi’s yacht and were staying at the Ritz in Paris.

On the night of August 30, attempting to avoid paparazzi gathered at the hotel, they exited through the back entrance around 11:30 pm. Their destination was an apartment near the Champs Elysees. Unfortunately, photographers pursued them on motorcycles.

At approximately 12:25 am on August 31, their Mercedes collided with a white Fiat Uno and crashed into the 13th pillar in the tunnel at around 65 mph. No one in the car was wearing a seatbelt.

First on the Scene

Dr. Frédéric Mailliez, returning home from a party, was among the first to arrive. Seeing smoke, he stopped and approached the wreck. He found Dodi and Henri Paul apparently dead, but the two others, including Diana, were still alive.