It has been 28 years since the world lost Princess Diana in a devastating car crash in Paris, yet new details continue to emerge about her final moments.

On August 31, 1997, Diana and her partner, Dodi Fayed, were attempting to flee photographers when their Mercedes crashed at the entrance to the Pont de l’Alma underpass. Chauffeur Henri Paul reportedly lost control of the car, clipping another vehicle before striking a concrete pillar at around 65 mph. The impact killed Paul and Fayed instantly. Diana, 36, was rushed to hospital but later succumbed to her injuries. The sole survivor was Dodi’s bodyguard, Trevor Rees-Jones.

Among the first on the scene was Paris firefighter Xavier Gourmelon. Speaking years later, he recalled that he did not immediately recognise the “blonde woman” in the wreckage as the Princess of Wales. She was still conscious when he approached and tried to comfort her.

According to Gourmelon, Diana looked at him and whispered what would become her last words: “My God, what’s happened?” Moments later, she went into cardiac arrest.