In the early morning hours of August 31, 1997, Princess Di and Dodi Al Fayed are both killed in a terrible car crash in downtown Paris, France. The driver, the head security guard at the Ritz Hotel (owned by the Fayeds) where they had just dined, was also killed. The only survivor was Di's royal bodyguard whose condition is not know at this time. Reports have the vehicle, a blue Mercedes traveling at speeds of over 100 mph, in a foolish and reckless attempt to shake some paparazzi (on whom they both thrived) who were pursuing by car and motorbike.

According to some reports, the vehicles brakes were locked for from 5-7 seconds before running into a huge cement pier at an angle. The auto then spun and slammed up against the tunnel's side wall, crushing the heads of all as the roof was brought down to door level. It took over two hours to cut the still living Diana from the abysmal wreckage. By some accounts the radiator was pushed through to the front seat from the frightful impact with the pier.

Following the fatal crash, at least one paparazzi set about shooting pictures of the dead and injured. A criminal investigation by the Paris Police was immediately opened.

A tragedy, to be sure, but one cannot help but be reminded of the ancient wisdom: Whom the gods would destroy, they first raise on high.
Submitted by: Sterling in Paree