Speaking Out On Diana's Death

The first doctor to arrive on the scene of the crash that killed Princess Diana says he wants to put the record straight. But across Britain, there's not much interest in marking Diana's death, reports CBS News Senior European Correspondent Tom Fenton.

At the time, Frederick Maillez wasn't even aware of whose life he was trying to save.

CBS
Dr. Frederick Maillez

Dr. Maillez is speaking out, because he is disturbed by the continuous speculation surrounding Princess Diana's death. He insists the emergency services did everything possible and that she could not have survived the accident. And he is certain there were no last words.

"So I think I have the right to set the record straight, to tell the truth . . . what really happened. And to say: 'Stop, let's respect her family, and let's remember her as a wonderful and very nice person.'"

But time seems to be having its effect on the public memory. A poll shows that 80 percent of the British now feel Diana's death had no lasting effect on them. A majority doesn't even think her anniversary should be marked each year.

This was supposed to be a week full of Diana. But you would be hard pressed to find any flowers outside Kensington Palace where Diana lived.

Only 300 people turned up for what was billed as a huge Diana charity walk. In fact, so few people turned up that the organizers lost money. One year later, the Diana effect seems to be fading.