Oct 2, 2006, 15:18 GMT
A key eyewitness to the car crash that killed Britain's Princess Diana has revealed he saw "shady figures" lining the tunnel moments before her death.
Record producer Jacques Morel, 59, was driving home through Paris with his wife Moufida on the night of August 31, 1997, when he saw the fatal crash.
His account of events was considered so important that detectives flew him to London and interviewed him for three days.
Morel, who describes the incident in his new book 'The Witness', said: "As we entered the Alma tunnel I looked to my left and saw about a dozen shady figures on a tiny pavement by the side of the opposite carriageway.
"They were all standing in a long line. The sight was unforgettable.
"The pavement is less than 30cm wide and next to fast traffic. They would have been breathing in petrol fumes and it was very dirty down there. It was certainly not a sensible place to stand around.
"There was an almighty bang and a great big flash of light. Immediately my wife and I realised there had been a crash.
"My first thought was that those inside the tunnel were connected with what had happened. This thought has never left me "
Morel suggests that the route taken by the princess and her lover Dodi Al Fayed was known in advance.
It was previously thought chauffeur Henri Paul took an unknown route to shake off the paparazzi following the car, and this led to the accident.
The inquiry into the crash, which has taken over 1,500 witness statements and encountered numerous delays, is now expected to deliver its findings by Christmas.
(C) BANG Media International
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