On the 22nd anniversary of Princess Diana's death, the first firefighter on the scene has recalled her heartbreaking last words.
Princess Diana's last words have been revealed by Xavier Gourmelon, the first firefighter on the scene, who risked his life trying to save the princess during the tragic car crash in Paris.
Princess Diana's last words to the firefighter – Photo 1.
July 31, 2019 marks the 22nd anniversary of Princess Diana's death. Photo: Anwar Hussein/WireImage
Speaking in French on ITV’s Good Morning, firefighter Xavier Gourmelon said: “It was a person with long blonde hair sitting on the floor. She regained consciousness and looked at me and said, ‘Oh my God, what happened?’ We took her out of the car and put her on a stretcher. At that point, the doctor said she had a cardiac arrest so we performed CPR and after 20 seconds she regained consciousness.”
As for whether he had seen the paparazzi, the first person on the scene said: “No, when I arrived, there was no one around the car.”
The ITV reporter reported: “He said she was sad and surprised to hear that she would die. He thought she would live. As a firefighter, he said it was a normal traffic accident.”
Princess Diana's last words to a firefighter – Photo 2.
Firefighter Xavier Gourmelon recalls Princess Diana's last words before she died. Photo: The Royal Family Channel/ITV/Youtube
The news of Princess Diana's death on August 31, 1997, shocked the world. She died at the age of 36 after a car crash in Paris.
That night, the late princess was sitting in the back seat of a Mercedes S280 limo with Dodi Al-Fayed, driver Henri Paul and security guard Trevor Rees-Jones in the front seat.
Princess Diana's last words to a firefighter – Photo 3.
Bodyguard Trevor Rees Jones (left) sat next to driver Henri Paul (right) before the accident. Photo: Handout
Mr Rees-Jones, now known as Trevor Rees, suffered serious injuries but was the last survivor of the crash. He cannot remember what happened that terrible evening from the moment he got into the car until the crash.
The Mercedes that the paparazzi were following to take pictures of Diana crashed into the 13th pillar in the Pont d’Alma tunnel near the River Seine.
Princess Diana’s last words to a firefighter – Photo 4.
Princess Diana with the princes beside the piano in Kensington Palace. Photo: Tim Graham
Prince Harry and William grieve at Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997. Photo: PA
Prince Harry and William often reminisce about their mother together on the anniversary of Princess Diana’s death. Photo: ET
On the anniversary of Princess Diana's death, Prince Harry and William often spend time together. The royal brothers meet at Kensington Palace for lunch or dinner and talk about what their mother taught them and remember her importance in their lives, according to Hello magazine.
Speaking ahead of the anniversary, Princess Diana's former photographer Arthur Edwards recalled breaking down as soon as he saw her coffin and said everyone around him outside Westminster Abbey burst into tears.