Doctor denies bid to harm Diana

Princess Diana suffered serious chest injuries in the crash

The ambulance doctor who treated Princess Diana after a car crash in Paris has denied trying to harm her by delaying taking her to hospital.

Speaking via video link, Jean-Marc Martino told the inquest he followed normal procedures and made sure she was stable before taking her to A&E.

The ambulance arrived at the crash scene at 12.40am on 31 August 1997 - 17 minutes after the first emergency call.

The inquest heard Dr Martino recognised the princess and found her agitated.

She was moving in the back of the Mercedes with her right arm dislocated, he said.

Cardiac arrest

He added that Dodi Al Fayed, Diana's companion, and the driver Henri Paul were dead, and another member of the crew was helping Trevor Rees, Dodi's bodyguard, who was seriously injured.

It's very hard to resuscitate a patient in this condition whilst the ambulance is moving Jean-Marc Martino, ambulance doctor Bodyguard 'under pressure'

Speaking through an interpreter from Germany, Dr Martino said: "According to the norms, medical norms of France, when you are in the scene of an accident you have to be sure the condition of the patient is stable before you move them anywhere."

He went on to deny suggestions he had deliberately delayed getting her to hospital in order to harm her.

The court heard a drip was inserted in case of internal injuries and when she was moved from the car, her heart stopped and she had to be resuscitated.

Her blood pressure fell as she was moved into the ambulance and as her clothes were removed Dr Martino realised she had a serious chest injury too, the jury heard.

Conspiracy theories have surrounded the Princess's death

The ambulance left at 1.41am, but stopped close to the Pitie Salpetriere hospital in Paris when her blood pressure dropped again.

Dr Martino said: "We were afraid that would lead to a cardiac arrest. It's very hard to resuscitate a patient in this condition whilst the ambulance is moving."

The ambulance arrived at hospital at 2.06am. Diana died a few hours later.

The inquest continues.