Diana jury visits scene of crash

Traffic was stopped to allow the jurors to visit the tunnel

The jury hearing the inquest into the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed has visited the scene of the car crash that killed them.

The jurors were shown the spot in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel where the couple's car crashed 10 years ago.

It is one of a series of sites across Paris they will see on a two-day trip to retrace the couple's final moments.

The 11 jurors also visited the Ritz, where the couple dined, and will visit the hospital the princess was taken to.



Diana's final journey
Last week at the High Court in London, they began hearing evidence about the crash, which happened on 31 August, 1997.

Included in the evidence presented to them were CCTV images from the couple's last moments at the Ritz.

From the Ritz they will trace Diana's final journey twice in a coach - once in daylight and once at night.

Accompanying them are the inquest's coroner, Lord Justice Scott Baker, counsel and court officials.

At about 1430 BST on Monday, traffic was stopped from going through the Pont de l'Alma tunnel and the jurors' coach drove through the underpass.

Appeal to media

As they passed the spot where the Mercedes carrying Diana, Mr Al Fayed, driver Henri Paul, who also died, and bodyguard Trevor Rees crashed 10 years ago, Lord Justice Scott Baker said: "We are passing the pillars on the left, including the 13th pillar."

The coach emerged from the tunnel in a matter of seconds, and the jurors sat in silence as it turned and drove through once again.

They then disembarked and walked down into the tunnel on foot.

After about a minute's silence, the coroner drew their attention to the pillars' sharp corners and encouraged the jurors to look behind them to see the view up the slope where the Mercedes entered.

Blown tyre

The purpose at this stage is for the jurors to get a clear understanding of the scene of the crash.

The coroner also pointed out how the traffic flow was affected by the timing of traffic lights, and indicated the direction of Mr Al Fayed's flat.

Lord Justice Scott Baker has appealed to the media not to pursue the jury with cameras and not to publish images which may identify them.

Earlier the tour of the tunnel was delayed because the jurors' coach blew a tyre when it hit a small pillar as it pulled up outside the Ritz.

The inquest is expected to last six months.