As the world marks the 28th anniversary of the car accident that took the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, a French surgeon who played a key role in the emergency response has opened up about that night in greater detail. Dr. MonSef Dahman, now in his early 60s, has chosen this moment to reflect publicly on his experiences, offering insights into the medical team’s determined efforts and addressing lingering public curiosity about the events of August 31, 1997.

Dahman’s account, shared in a recent interview with Arab News, provides a firsthand perspective from the chaos of the Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital in Paris. At the time, he was a 33-year-old duty general surgeon, midway through an exhausting overnight shift that had begun the previous morning. What started as a routine call from a senior colleague quickly escalated into one of the most high-profile medical emergencies in modern history. “It was a young woman in serious condition,” Dahman recalled, noting that the gravity of the summons was clear from the outset, even before her identity was revealed.

Princess Diana, then 36, had been involved in a collision in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel while being driven at high speed. The incident, which also claimed the lives of her companion Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul, while severely injuring bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones, unfolded in the early hours. Emergency services responded swiftly, and Diana was transported to the hospital around 2 a.m. Dahman, resting briefly in the on-call room just 50 meters away, was alerted by senior anesthesiologist Bruno Riou. The two rushed to the accident and emergency department, where the atmosphere was already charged with urgency.

Upon arrival, Dahman found Riou personally overseeing the patient’s care – a rare occurrence that underscored the case’s significance. It was only then that staff confirmed the patient was the Princess of Wales, a global icon known for her humanitarian work and close connection to the British public. “Treating a woman so young in such a critical state would have been profoundly important to any doctor,” Dahman said. “Her status as a princess only amplified our sense of duty.”

The medical team’s assessment began immediately. An X-ray showed extensive internal injuries, including significant bleeding in the chest cavity. Leading heart surgeon Alain Pavie was summoned from home to assist, arriving to perform an exploratory procedure. What they discovered was a rupture in Diana’s upper left pulmonary vein, the vessel connecting the lung to the heart – a rare and devastating injury that had led to cardiac arrest around 2:15 a.m. Blood loss had rendered her heart unable to pump effectively, creating a dire situation where every second counted.

In the emergency room, the focus was on stabilization. The team drained fluid from her chest to ease breathing difficulties and initiated blood transfusions to combat the hemorrhaging. External cardiac massage was administered to maintain circulation, and emergency measures were taken to secure her airway. Diana was conscious briefly upon arrival, according to reports, but her condition deteriorated rapidly. Moved to the operating theater, Pavie worked to suture the torn vein, a delicate operation under immense pressure.

Resuscitation efforts intensified. Electric shocks were applied multiple times to jolt the heart back into rhythm, while Dahman and others performed manual cardiac compressions. Adrenaline was injected repeatedly by Riou, and the team cycled through protocols with unwavering focus. “We tried everything possible,” Dahman emphasized. “It was an hour of intense work – we didn’t notice the time passing because our attention was entirely on her.” Despite these interventions, the heart refused to respond. A subsequent medical review years later validated the approach, concluding that no alternative strategy could have altered the outcome given the severity of the injuries.

Dahman’s reflections come at a time when interest in Diana’s story remains undiminished. The princess, who divorced Prince Charles in 1996 and had become a vocal advocate for causes like landmine removal and AIDS awareness, captured hearts worldwide. Her death sparked an outpouring of grief, with over a million people lining the streets of London for her funeral procession. Yet, it also ignited a wave of speculation. Official inquiries, including a 2004 British coroner’s inquest and a 1999 French investigation, attributed the accident to the driver’s intoxication and excessive speed, ruling out foul play. Rees-Jones, the sole survivor, has long maintained that seatbelts were not worn, a factor that compounded the tragedy.

Still, questions persist in public discourse. Books, documentaries, and online forums have explored theories ranging from paparazzi pursuit to alleged security lapses by the royal household. Some have pointed to delays in the ambulance transport from the tunnel to the hospital – a journey that took nearly two hours – as a potential misstep. French protocol emphasized on-site stabilization over rapid transfer, contrasting with faster-response systems elsewhere. Dahman addressed this gently in his interview, affirming the team’s commitment without delving into blame. “Our goal was clear: to give her every chance,” he said. He spoke out now, he explained, to counter misinformation and honor the exhaustive work of his colleagues, many of whom have since retired or passed away.

This is not Dahman’s first public comment; he detailed aspects of the night in 2021, around the 24th anniversary, but the 28-year mark feels particularly poignant. “Time has a way of clarifying memories,” he noted. “I wanted to share this so people understand the human effort behind the headlines.” His words resonate amid ongoing royal family scrutiny, including recent health challenges faced by King Charles III and Catherine, Princess of Wales, which have drawn parallels to Diana’s enduring legacy of compassion.

Since 1997, advancements in trauma care have transformed outcomes in similar cases. Techniques like advanced imaging, faster clotting agents, and helicopter evacuations have become standard, potentially saving lives that once hung in the balance. Dahman, who continues to practice surgery in Paris, sees echoes of that night in his daily work. “Every patient is a story, but some stay with you forever,” he reflected. “Diana’s was about more than medicine – it was about a life that touched millions.”

The surgeon’s candor also highlights the personal toll on first responders. Riou, Pavie, and others involved rarely grant interviews, respecting patient confidentiality even decades later. Dahman’s decision to speak stems from a desire to educate, perhaps inspiring younger medics. “We learn from these moments,” he said. “They remind us why we do this work.”

Public reaction to Dahman’s account has been measured but appreciative. On social media, fans of the princess expressed gratitude for the transparency, with one user writing, “Finally, a voice from the room that night. Rest in peace, Diana.” Historians and royal watchers, meanwhile, view it as a chapter closing in a saga that continues to shape British monarchy discussions. Books like Tina Brown’s “The Diana Chronicles” and the Netflix series “The Crown” have kept the narrative alive, but firsthand medical testimony adds a layer of authenticity.

As for the broader implications, Dahman’s story underscores the fragility of life, even for global figures. Diana’s sons, Princes William and Harry, have channeled their mother’s influence into initiatives like mental health advocacy and conservation. William, now Prince of Wales, has spoken openly about the accident’s impact, crediting it with shaping his commitment to emergency services through his role as patron of the Royal Foundation.

In Paris, the tunnel site has become a place of quiet remembrance, adorned with flowers and messages on anniversaries. The hospital, too, honors its role subtly – a plaque in the emergency wing commemorates the event without fanfare. Dahman visits occasionally, he said, to reflect on progress. “We’ve come far, but the core remains: care without hesitation.”

Twenty-eight years on, Dr. MonSef Dahman’s voice emerges not as a disruptor, but as a steady anchor amid swirling narratives. His account reaffirms the official findings while humanizing the desperate bid to preserve a life cut short. In doing so, it invites a moment of collective pause – to remember Diana not just for her glamour, but for the quiet heroism of those who tried to extend her light.