14 December 2006
Results from a $5 million investigation into the death of Princess Diana announced yesterday blamed drunk driving for the tragic accident, but a Monash University academic says a simple roadside barrier may have saved three lives in the crash.
Associate Professor Raphael Grzebieta, the Engineering Faculty, has studied the 1997 crash, in which Princess Diana, friend Dodi Al Fayed and their French driver Henri Paul died in the early hours on 31 August after their Mercedes hit a pillar in a Paris underpass.
Results of a three-year Metropolitan Police investigation into the crash were released yesterday in London.
Former police chief Lord Stevens concluded that the crash was a tragic accident and that Paul's blood alcohol level was more than twice the UK drink-dive limit.
The report also rules out several conspiracy theories including a claim Di was murdered by MI6 or that she was carrying Al Fayed's baby.
Associate Professor Grzebieta is on the editorial board of the International Journal of Crashworthiness, whose members have investigated the roadside columns in the tunnel and studied simulations of the crash.
"Had there been a crash barrier protecting the roadside columns, Princess Di would be alive today," he said.
"There were a number of factors involved in the crash, including the vehicle being driven at high speed, the person driving being drunk, and Princess Di not wearing a seat-belt.
"The most vital factor was the impact with the roadside column and I believe even today the pillar has still not been protected with a crash barrier."
For more information please contact Associate Professor Raphael Grzebieta on 0411 234 057 or Steve Pogonowski in the media office on 03 9905 1253.
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