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Investigators skeptical over reports of Diana 'mystery car'

The Mirror

February 2, 1998
Web posted at: 10:02 a.m. EDT (1002 GMT)

LONDON (CNN) -- A British tabloid published photos on Monday of a white car that it said might have been involved in the Paris car crash which killed Princess Diana last year.

However, French investigators and the judge probing the case have expressed their "most extreme reservations" about the photos and story, sources close to the investigation told the French news agency AFP.

French police have been searching for a white car that the black Mercedes carrying Diana might have sideswiped just before the August 31 crash.

The photos are from videotape shot by two Australian tourists and given to the Mirror. The couple were at the Ritz Hotel shortly before Diana left. The car shown is a white Citroen AX parked outside the hotel.

The Mirror said the Citroen sped away after photographers realized a black Mercedes outside the front entrance of the Ritz was a decoy, and that Diana had left from the rear entrance.

French investigators have spent months searching for a white Fiat Uno that may have been sideswiped by the black Mercedes fatal crash.

The film is being turned over to French authorities. French police issued a confidential report last December that includes testimony supporting the theory that Diana's car sideswiped a white car before the crash.

French police have been searching for a Fiat Uno, which looks similar to a Citroen. According to sources close to the investigation, a white Uno remains the only car authorities are searching for and the only car thought to be involved, due to forensic tests. Investigators said the video "brings no new element to the investigation," the sources said.

Diana's boyfriend Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul were killed in the crash. Diana's bodyguard, Trevor Rees-Jones, was severely injured.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Related stories:

• World watches as Britain bids farewell to Diana - September 6, 1997
• Princess Diana killed in Paris car crash - August 31, 1997

Related sites:

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• Britain in the USA: The Death of Princess Diana
• Diana, Princess of Wales

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