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Diana witness 'saw swerving car' | Diana witness 'saw swerving car' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A witness who saw a white Fiat Uno coming out of the tunnel in Paris where Princess Diana was killed thought its driver was drunk, an inquest has heard. | A witness who saw a white Fiat Uno coming out of the tunnel in Paris where Princess Diana was killed thought its driver was drunk, an inquest has heard. |
Georges Dauzonne told the High Court he had to brake to avoid the vehicle in the early hours of 31 August 1997. | Georges Dauzonne told the High Court he had to brake to avoid the vehicle in the early hours of 31 August 1997. |
Mr Dauzonne said the driver swerved as he adjusted his mirror and appeared to be bothered by something behind him. | Mr Dauzonne said the driver swerved as he adjusted his mirror and appeared to be bothered by something behind him. |
The jury has been told it must decide whether paparazzi actions contributed to the car crash in which Diana died. | The jury has been told it must decide whether paparazzi actions contributed to the car crash in which Diana died. |
'Bad condition' | 'Bad condition' |
Mr Dauzonne told the jury he was driving his Rolls-Royce across a bridge from the south side of the River Seine to join the expressway just after the Pont de l'Alma tunnel at around half past midnight. | Mr Dauzonne told the jury he was driving his Rolls-Royce across a bridge from the south side of the River Seine to join the expressway just after the Pont de l'Alma tunnel at around half past midnight. |
Describing the vehicle in front of him, he said: "I thought he was drunk. | Describing the vehicle in front of him, he said: "I thought he was drunk. |
"My first impression was it was Saturday night at half past midnight in Paris, I thought someone drunk was driving that car - then I realised he was doing something with a mirror." | "My first impression was it was Saturday night at half past midnight in Paris, I thought someone drunk was driving that car - then I realised he was doing something with a mirror." |
He said he was sure it was a white Fiat Uno because it was similar to his mother-in-law's, but it did not have a "number 75" Paris registration like hers. | He said he was sure it was a white Fiat Uno because it was similar to his mother-in-law's, but it did not have a "number 75" Paris registration like hers. |
Mr Dauzonne said the car he saw was in bad condition with a loud exhaust, and there was a large dog in the back seat wearing a red bandana. | Mr Dauzonne said the car he saw was in bad condition with a loud exhaust, and there was a large dog in the back seat wearing a red bandana. |
'Pulled over' | 'Pulled over' |
He told the court he saw the car touch white markings at the side of the road. Mr Dauzonne slowed down to about 30km/h (18mph). | He told the court he saw the car touch white markings at the side of the road. Mr Dauzonne slowed down to about 30km/h (18mph). |
"I was almost stopped behind him trying to understand what he wanted to do and told my wife 'this guy must be drunk' and then I go on the left and I zoom on," said Mr Dauzonne. | "I was almost stopped behind him trying to understand what he wanted to do and told my wife 'this guy must be drunk' and then I go on the left and I zoom on," said Mr Dauzonne. |
He added: "I don't think he was trying to stop me getting past, no. I think it was more he was trying to see what was behind him through the mirror." | He added: "I don't think he was trying to stop me getting past, no. I think it was more he was trying to see what was behind him through the mirror." |
Mr Dauzonne told the court the Fiat pulled over to the side of the road briefly before driving off. | Mr Dauzonne told the court the Fiat pulled over to the side of the road briefly before driving off. |
He said he did not notice any evidence of an accident further back in the tunnel. | He said he did not notice any evidence of an accident further back in the tunnel. |
Collision evidence | |
Mr Dauzonne and his wife Sabine both picked out former security guard Le Van Thanh as the possible driver of the car from a line-up of pictures. | |
The photographs included one of James Andanson, the man Mohamed Al Fayed believes was at the wheel, but neither identified him. | |
The jury has been told there is evidence that a white Fiat Uno may have collided with the Mercedes that Diana and her boyfriend Dodi Al Fayed were travelling in before their deaths. | |
The hearing continues. | The hearing continues. |