Hero Firefighter Describes Saving Princess Diana’s Life in Final Moments

In a heart-wrenching account, Xavier Gourmelin, a firefighter, has shared his experience of rescuing Princess Diana from the wreckage of her car moments after the fatal Paris crash.

Gourmelin, who spent 22 years as a Paris firefighter before returning to his native Brittany, has only spoken publicly about the incident once before, during Diana's inquest in 2007.

Now, two decades later, he feels ready to share his story with the world.

On that tragic night in August 1997, Gourmelin had no idea that he was treating the princess at the crash scene inside the Pont de l'Alma tunnel, near the Malheur fire station where he was on duty.

His team was the first to arrive, and they immediately sprang into action.

The wrecked Mercedes was in shambles, but they approached it just like any other road accident.

Assessing the situation, Gourmelin noticed a woman on the floor in the back of the car, later revealed to be Princess Diana.

She was conscious and moving slightly, showing signs of life.

Gourmelin quickly realized the gravity of the situation and knew he needed to act fast.

He comforted the princess, reassuring her that help was on the way.

He held her hand, urging her to remain calm and still.

Oxygen was administered, and Gourmelin and his team stayed by her side as she was carefully extricated from the wreckage.

The process was swift, as they didn't need to cut through any of the debris.

However, tragedy struck when Diana suddenly stopped breathing.

As a trained first responder, Gourmelin sprang into action, recognizing that the princess had suffered a cardiac arrest.

He performed CPR, massaging her heart, and miraculously, she started breathing again within seconds.

In that moment, Gourmelin believed he had saved her life.

He expected her to survive, as she was alive when she was placed in the ambulance.

However, he later received the devastating news that Diana had passed away at 4 am in the hospital, despite the frantic efforts of surgeons.

Reflecting on that fateful night, Gourmelin admits that he had no idea he was treating Princess Diana until one of the paramedics informed him while she was being placed in the ambulance.

The shock was overwhelming.

Although he recognized her face, he didn't closely follow British royalty.

Gourmelin, who is now in charge of emergency services at Brest airport, vividly recalls the scene and how it has stayed with him throughout the years.

For Gourmelin, the incident was a banal traffic accident, one among the many emergencies that the French emergency services deal with regularly.

He emphasizes that the crash was caused by speed and a drunk driver, factors that tragically contribute to numerous accidents.

As he arrived at the car, Gourmelin saw that the driver was already deceased, and there was nothing that could be done for him.

Dodie Fayette, Diana's lover, was in the back, in critical condition.

He suffered a cardiac arrest in the car and was declared dead upon extraction.

The bodyguard in the front seat was conscious but trapped, with severe facial injuries.

He repeatedly asked about the princess's whereabouts, but Gourmelin's team advised him to remain calm and silent.

Language barriers made communication difficult, as none of Gourmelin's team members spoke English.

Gourmelin reassured the bodyguard that they were taking care of everyone and instructed him not to move.

After Diana was rushed to the Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital, Gourmelin returned to the nearby fire station, where he was working a double weekend shift.

Overwhelmed by the events, he immediately called his wife to share the news.

He informed her about the accident and Princess Diana's cardiac arrest, expressing his relief at having managed to revive her.

An official report later revealed that the princess had suffered severe internal injuries, including a ruptured blood vessel near her heart, leading to internal bleeding.

Gourmelin still vividly remembers the entire scene and reflects on it every year during this time.

It is an indelible memory that will stay with him forever.

In sharing his story, Gourmelin reminds us of the fragility of life and the unpredictable nature of tragic accidents.

His heroic efforts to save Princess Diana's life demonstrate the selflessness and dedication of firefighters and emergency responders around the world.

While we remember Princess Diana's legacy, we must also honor the bravery of those who were there in her final moments, doing everything they could to save her.