Diana’s last words, revealed 20 years later

On the anniversary of Princess Diana’s death, millions around the world are remembering her contagious smile, her warmth, and positive spirit that shaped the Royal Family in a way no other member had before. One firefighter who was at the scene of the deadly car crash in Paris remembers her last words to him, 20 years later.

It was a night no one would forget. August 31st 1997, Princess Diana was killed in a car crash were the words that echoed throughout the world. Her life would begin to end under a tunnel in Paris when her driver dodged paparazzi desperate to get her picture, crashed. The paparazzi would get their shots, but it was Diana who paid for their actions.

Around the world, people mourned the loss of the people’s princess. The woman who touched a man with AIDS, danced with celebrities, stepped into an active minefield, and loved like no other, had passed with her lover, Dodi Fayed. No one could believe the news, and no one expected it. It was a night and a morning no one would forget.

20 years later, her legacy lives on. The world and especially Great Britain once again mourn her death as so much of what she accomplished lives on. Leading up to the days of the 20th anniversary, documentaries were made, tributes poured in, and her two beloved sons, Prince William and Harry opened up even more about their mother. However, one man who heard Diana’s last words, not even Prince Charles, nor the Queen, not even William and Harry heard, spoke out.

Xavier Gourmelon, a firefighter who was at the scene of the car crash, stated he was convinced Diana would live. He spoke exclusively to Good Morning Britain, about what he saw and heard that night. “Nobody knew it was her. No one recognized her,” he said.

Speaking in his native language French, he said that her last words were “Oh my God, what’s happened?” a reminder of the fact that Diana did not die instantly upon crashing. He went on to describe Diana as a little “agitated” stating that they tried to calm her down and would look after her, before she fell into a coma once again. She was then pulled out of the car and put on a stretcher where she was in cardiac arrest and was then given CPR and regained consciousness.

To many it was more than an accident, it was the loss of someone the world admired, but to Gourmelon, although he too was sad and admired the princess, handled the accident like all others he tended to prior. When asked if he saw any paparazzi at the scene, he said no one was around the car.

On Wednesday, Prince William and Harry, along with the Dutchess of Cambridge, visited a white rose garden at Kensington Palace commemorated in her honor. Many gathered outside the gates to celebrate her life and pay their respects but also remember all that has been accomplished in her name.