UK NEWS

DOCTOR DENIES DELIBERATELY DELAYING JOURNEY

Diana's ambulance travelled slowly to hospital

Thursday January 24,2008

By Jack Teague for express.co.uk

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THE French ambulance doctor who treated Diana in the aftermath of the Paris crash, today denied suggestions he deliberately delayed the Princess’ journey to hospital in order to harm her.

Jean-Marc Martino said that he followed normal medical procedures and made sure her vital signs had stabilised before taking her to an accident and emergency department.

The ambulance travelled slowly so as not to aggravate the Princess’ injuries and even stopped close to the Pitie-Salpetriere hospital in Paris when her blood pressure dropped because the doctor feared that she may have a cardiac arrest.

Jonathan Hough, representing the inquest, told the medic: “It’s been suggested by some the Princess could, and should, have been rushed to hospital sooner.

Martino, speaking through an interpreter and via a video link from Munich, Germany, said: “That’s the big question that’s been asked.

“According to the norms, medical norms of France, when you are in the scene of an accident you have to be sure the condition of the patient is stable before you move them anywhere.”

Asked by Mr Hough: “Is there any truth in the suggestion you deliberately delayed taking her to hospital in order to harm her?”

He replied: “That’s certainly wrong.”

Dr Martino’s ambulance arrived at the site of the crash in the Alma tunnel at 12.40am on August 31, 1997 - 17 minutes after the first call about the car smash was made.

He noted Dodi Fayed and the driver Henri Paul were dead and that another medical crew was dealing with bodyguard Trevor Rees, who was seriously injured.

The inquest was told that Dr Martino recognised the Princess and found her agitated and moving in the back of the Mercedes with her right arm bent back and dislocated.

A drip was inserted in case she had internal injuries but when she was removed from the car her heart stopped beating and she had to be resuscitated.

When the medical team got her into the ambulance her blood pressure dropped and Diana was given a drug to counteract this, but when the doctor removed her clothes he realised she had a serious chest injury, the inquest was told.

The ambulance left at 1.41am when the Princess’ blood pressure had risen. The vehicle was given a police escort.

At one point close to the hospital Diana’s vital signs fell and Dr Martino said they had to stop the ambulance to do a proper examination.

Asked by Mr Hough to explain the delay, the medic said: “Because we had to find out why there was such a drop in the blood pressure.

“We were afraid that would lead to a cardiac arrest. It’s very hard to resuscitate a patient in those condition whilst the ambulance is moving.”

The ambulance arrived at hospital at 2.06am and despite the efforts of medical staff, Diana died a few hours later.

PHOTO SHOWS NOTHING

25.01.08, 12:37pm

According to the http://www.wethepeople.la/diforum2.htm site the picture was taken from 600 yards away and this was at night. No flash would have been able to cover that distance, and using a long lens would have meant getting a decent shot would have been virtually impossible. As it is the photo shows nothing.

As for surviving the injury Diana had, I saw a car crash years ago, the victim hit a brick wall at about 30 mph, he died of a fractured aorta within about 5 minutes. It's a very common cause of death in car crashes. It's also one of the reasons why Formula One cars are designed so the driver is almost lying down, it's good for the aerodynamics, but it also helps to prevent the heart hitting the lungs/ribs and the aorta fracturing in a crash. I think it was a miracle they kept her alive for so long.

Of course if Diana had complied with French law and worn a seatbelt she would be alive now.

• Posted by: Prideaux • Report Comment

JONO

25.01.08, 12:06pm

That photo doesn't show anything like you describe and if the version you have been looking at is so clear why not send it off to Mr Mansfield, he seems a bit short on evidence at the moment.

• Posted by: MrsA • Report Comment

MARTINO AT MURDER SCENE

24.01.08, 11:04pm

I'm sorry but Martino's evidence does not correspond with the evidence.

See the Photos of Diana sitting on a seat, in the ambulance... not having a heart attack here..
4 photos 3" down the link.

http://www.wethepeople.la/diforum2.htm

Martino should be arrested for the murder of Diana Princess of Wales.

• Posted by: JonO • Report Comment