Photographer Describes Chaotic Scene of Accident

One of the photographers under investigation for manslaughter after Princess Diana’s fatal car accident Sunday said her companion, Dodi Fayed, had promised a photo session for the “press pack.”

“When we first gathered outside the Ritz Hotel [where the couple were dining], Dodi came out on the pavement himself and told us we could take pictures of them after the dinner,” said Hungarian-born freelancer Laslo Veres, 54.

“There were about 25 of us, but then, curious bystanders began to gather--perhaps 200 to 300 people--and that probably scared the hotel and the photo shoot off,” Veres said.

The photographer said he decided to go home when he saw the situation was going to develop into a hide-and-seek chase, but shortly after got called to the accident scene.

“The first thing I saw was Dodi lying on the pavement with rescue workers trying to revive him. I’ve never seen anything like that before: They were pounding on his chest with tremendous force, nearly jumping on him.

“One of the two men in the front, I don’t know if it was the driver or the bodyguard, had his face stuck into a shattered windshield,” Veres said.

“It was a dramatic sight, and when I regained my composure, I took out my camera and began shooting. I think I got five or six shots off before a policeman grabbed me.

“As I was led away, I went past the car and only then caught a glimpse of Diana. She was stuck between the two front seats, her body facing the back of the car with her legs in the air.”