The heartbreaking night in Paris when Princess Diana lost her life remains one of the most unforgettable tragedies of the 20th century.
As a cherished global icon, Diana’s unexpected death left the world reeling and sparked countless unanswered questions. Was it merely a tragic accident, or do the events of that night hold deeper secrets? What truly happened inside the hospital where medical teams worked tirelessly to save her?
Now, for the first time, a key individual involved in that night—surgeon MonSef Dahman—is speaking out, providing a rare glimpse into the critical hours that followed the fatal crash. His account may forever change the way we understand what unfolded.
Diana captured the hearts of people worldwide with her authenticity, humor, deep devotion to her children, and her role as a compassionate public figure. Her tragic death in a car crash in Paris sent shockwaves across the globe, plunging millions into mourning. Even today, her memory remains etched in the collective consciousness.
But what exactly occurred that fateful evening? What was the nature of her injuries? In a never-before-shared account, MonSef Dahman, the surgeon who attempted to save Diana’s life, has come forward to share his version of events.
The loss devastated a nation and left her two sons, Princes William and Harry, without their beloved mother. While the details surrounding the crash and the potential factors behind it have long been debated, one man at the center of it all has now broken his silence.
At the time, MonSef Dahman was a junior general surgeon at a hospital in Paris, called upon to assist in treating Diana following the accident.
In an exclusive conversation with the Daily Mail, Dahman gave a detailed narrative of what happened during those early morning hours.
“The loss of someone so significant, someone you feel a personal connection to, leaves a lasting mark,” Dahman told the British outlet.
By coincidence, Dahman was not even supposed to be on duty that night. As a young doctor, he had been planning a holiday with his wife, who was expecting their second child. Ultimately, they chose to stay in Paris, and Dahman continued working through the summer. His shifts were long and exhausting, and that particular weekend, he had started at 8 a.m. and was still working well past midnight.
Though the day had been relatively quiet and allowed some time for rest, everything changed dramatically around 2 a.m.
Diana’s vehicle crashed inside a Paris tunnel just after midnight, at approximately 12:23 a.m. Emergency responders administered initial aid, but she went into cardiac arrest during transit.
She arrived at the hospital at 2:06 a.m.
“I was in the on-call room when I received a call from Bruno Riou, the senior anesthetist, requesting my presence in the emergency department,” Dahman recalled. “They didn’t mention that the patient was Princess Diana—only that it was a young woman involved in a serious accident.”
At only 33 years old, Dahman quickly understood the severity of the situation upon entering the emergency area. That’s when he was informed of the patient’s identity.
“The moment I was told who she was, the gravity of the situation became immediately clear,” he said. “It’s always significant when a young woman’s life is on the line, but this was different—she was royalty.”
Doctors conducted an X-ray upon Diana’s arrival, revealing devastating internal injuries. She was given an immediate blood transfusion.
Her heart, however, would not restart.
Just 15 minutes after reaching the hospital, she suffered another cardiac arrest. Dahman attempted emergency surgery, but the trauma to her body was overwhelming.
“We tried electric shocks, chest compressions—nothing worked,” he said. “Professor Riou even administered adrenaline in hopes of reviving her, but it was all in vain.”
Despite their relentless efforts, the team could not bring her back. Dahman, who worked in one of the most advanced emergency departments in France, spoke with pride about their commitment to patients. But on that night, even their best wasn’t enough.
“We fought with everything we had. In moments like that, you lose all sense of time. The only thing that matters is doing everything in your power for the person in front of you.”
“It was heartbreaking. We couldn’t save her, and the emotional weight of that stayed with us.”
Now based in Antibes as a practicing surgeon, Dahman reflects on those painful hours each year as the anniversary of Diana’s passing draws near. Like many others, he watched her funeral with sorrow, carrying the emotional aftermath of that night with him.
“I don’t revisit those memories often, but whenever a new book or documentary about Diana’s final moments comes out, I receive it. I’ve collected quite a few over the years,” he shared.
Following her death, the hospital experienced intense media scrutiny. Journalists tried to infiltrate the building, even posing as medical personnel to access private information.
“Pitié-Salpêtrière is a public institution,” he explained. “Diana was treated in a ward where others were receiving care too. People were disguising themselves as doctors or nurses to get close—it created serious security issues.”
Princess Diana’s legacy continues to move and inspire people globally.
In a 2021 documentary, new insights were offered about her final days. Journalist and royal correspondent Richard Kay stated that he had been the last person to speak with Diana before the crash.
“She called me that evening,” Kay remembered. “The authorities later confirmed that I was the last person she spoke to.”
Just one year prior to the tragedy, Diana had finalized her divorce from Prince Charles. Biographer Howard Hodgson notes in Charles: The Man Who Will Be King that Diana worried the royal family might restrict her access to her children.
“She feared that the Queen, who had the legal authority, could decide to control the upbringing of William and Harry,” Hodgson wrote. “Diana was deeply afraid she might be cut out of their lives.”
According to Kay, Diana was optimistic about the future and ready to begin a new chapter in her life.
“She was in a good place emotionally,” Kay said. “She wanted to redefine what royalty meant to her and spend more time with her sons.”
A recent documentary celebrating Diana’s life highlighted her lasting impact. Executive producer David Glover felt it was a meaningful time to reexamine her story.
“There was something truly special about Diana,” Glover noted. “In spite of the pain she endured, she used her unique position to make a real difference.”
In 2017, Princes William and Harry revealed their intention to install a statue in their mother’s honor in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace—a lasting tribute to her memory.
Harry was expected to attend the statue’s unveiling, although Meghan Markle planned to stay home with their newborn.
During a poignant interview commemorating the 20th anniversary of Diana’s death, her sons opened up about the cherished moments they shared with her.
“She was the funniest person,” Harry recalled. “Her laugh was unforgettable.”
“She gave us so much love,” William added. “You can still feel her presence today.”
Diana’s influence endures not just through her sons but through the millions who admired her strength, grace, and kindness.
Recently, a personal letter from March 1985 was unearthed, offering a glimpse into Diana’s life with her young sons. In it, she described William’s affection for baby Harry, writing about how he showered him with kisses and cuddles.
In other letters, Diana expressed the struggles she faced as a mother, acknowledging the difficult moments that came with raising children under the public eye.
She often delighted in treating William and Harry to spontaneous adventures, including trips to amusement parks and fast food restaurants.
“I remember one day she came into the kitchen and said, ‘Cancel lunch. I’m taking the boys to McDonald’s,’” her former chef, Darren McGrady, recalled.
Princess Diana will always be remembered with love and admiration. Gratitude is owed to MonSef Dahman and every member of the medical staff who fought to save her life. Their courage and dedication exemplify the very best of what it means to serve in medicine.
Please share this story in tribute to Princess Diana’s enduring legacy.
Diana’s legacy remains powerful not because of her royal title, but because of her empathy, warmth, and unwavering commitment to others. From her humanitarian work to her unconditional love for her sons, she left a mark that time cannot erase. The events of that devastating night in Paris continue to affect those who knew her and those who tried to save her. People like MonSef Dahman remind us of the human effort behind the headlines.
Diana’s story is one of deep love, profound loss, and unyielding legacy. Her sons carry that torch forward, continuing the work she began and keeping her spirit alive in the hearts of people across the world. As we remember her, we celebrate not just the princess, but the incredible woman who remains deeply missed.