Princess Diana's seat belt warning

03-11-2008 14:00

Britain's Princess Diana's death could have been avoided if she had worn a seatbelt, according to the road safety minister.

Labour MP Jim Fitzpatrick has claimed the princess paid "the ultimate price", and is using the case as an example to drivers as part of a campaign to promote the importance of wearing seat belts.

6 million TV advertisement supporting Fitzpatrick's campaign - which shows a driver's heart after his rib cage is ripped open following a collision - is set to be shown after the 9pm watershed tonight (03

He said: "There's so much sensitivity about Princess Diana because of her memory, but the period between then and now is quite significant.

"As an example, it couldn't be more graphic."

The princess died in a tragic road collision in Paris in August 1997, along with boyfriend Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul. Former bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones was wearing a seatbelt and survived.

Fitzpatrick said: "The former security officer wearing a seatbelt lived whereas Henri Paul, Dodi Fayed and Diana all weren't wearing seatbelts and they paid the ultimate price."

An inquest earlier this year confirmed the fact the deceased had not been wearing seat belts was a contributing factor to their death.

Readers' Comments

#1 by Meg - 04-11-2008 01:04

In his book, Trevor Reese-Jones said he was NOT wearing a seatbelt. What helped to save his life was the air-bag.

#2 by Lisa Harris - 04-11-2008 03:56

The Minister should have checked his facts. No one in the car wore seatbelts according to the official written reports and the bodyguard. Stating that the survivor was belted is incorre... READ MORE

Princess Diana

Princess Diana

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