The Foreign Office confirmed early this morning that the French authorities had told them that photographers on motorcycles were involved in the accident.

American tourists Tom Richardson and Joanna Luz were two of the first eyewitnesses on the scene. They told the cable television network CNN that they were walking nearby when they heard the crash and ran into the tunnel.

Mr Richardson, from San Diego, said: "There was smoke. I think the car hit a wall. A man started running towards us telling us to go."

Miss Luz said: "The horn was sounding for about two minutes. I think it was the driver against the steering wheel. There was a photographer on the scene within five seconds of the crash happening. As we were running out of the tunnel police and others were running in but it took around five or seven minutes for them to get there. People were running towards the crash site and steering traffic away not knowing who was in the car. We were 20 yards from the accident but we did not see anyone in the car. The car was in the right lane facing on-coming traffic. The air bag was on the passenger’s side. We did not see anyone on the driver’s side."

Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed were rounding off their holiday with a stay in Paris. The couple, who had been cruising aboard a yacht belonging to Dodi’s father, were first spotted in the French capital yesterday.

The couple’s close friendship has commanded world attention after it was first revealed barely two months ago. It blossomed during the past five weeks, as the couple took a series of holidays together in the Mediterranean. Less than two weeks ago the Princess and Mr Fayed flew to the French Mediterranean resort of St Tropez for their third holiday in each other’s company in five weeks.

Robin Cook, the Foreign Secretary, said in the Philippines, shortly after hearing the news: "I am greatly shocked. Our first thoughts must be with her children and her family. It is a tragic loss at a young age of someone who had shown great courage and commitment in drawing attention to serious issues. For the next few days her family and the nation must have time to come to terms with their immense sadness and loss. In the longer term, serious questions will need to be asked as to whether the aggressive intrusions into her privacy have contributed to this tragedy. I think it will be doubly tragic if it does emerge that this accident was in part caused by persistent hounding of the Princess."


Related Links:

Diana - News
Diana Dies In Car Crash - news report 31 August 2020
Memorials at Kensington Palace 2001
Diana - timeline
Diana - biography

Prince William
Prince Harry