Dr. Mailliez was driving through the Pont de l’Alma tunnel on August 31, 1997, when he came upon the wreckage. In his account, he recalls seeing a woman inside the car who appeared severely injured but still had a faint pulse. “I saw she was alive,” he explained, recounting his immediate response as he administered oxygen and checked her vital signs. His sole focus was on stabilizing her condition, and he did not initially realize the gravity of the situation or the identity of the woman he was treating.
“I didn’t recognize her at first,” Dr. Mailliez admitted, noting that the chaos of the scene and the poor lighting in the tunnel made it difficult to discern who the passengers were. Surrounded by wreckage and with only basic medical supplies on hand, he did what he could to keep her stable until emergency responders arrived. His realization of who he was treating only came later, when he saw the news reports.
Dr. Mailliez’s account adds a poignant layer to the narrative of Diana’s final moments, highlighting the urgency and intensity of the response at the crash scene. Despite not knowing her identity, he was struck by the profound sadness surrounding her injuries, recalling the overwhelming feeling of helplessness as he awaited more specialized assistance. “I was just doing my job,” he said, “but I felt the weight of that night for a long time afterward.”
The medic’s testimony has resurfaced as a reminder of the humanity behind Diana’s story, shedding light on her final moments from the perspective of a first responder who simply saw an injured woman in need of care. His words have resonated deeply, underscoring the tragedy of Diana’s passing and the ordinary people who found themselves part of an extraordinary moment in history.
