London, Nov 13: A witness testifying at the ongoing inquest into Princess Diana’s death has revealed that he held the royal’s hand as she lay dying.

Abdelatif Redjil told the London court that he and his friend Belkacem Bouzid were crossing the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris on the night of Aug. 31, 1997, when they heard the sounds of a crash and rushed inside to help.

In a statement read out to the jury, Redjil described opening the back door of the car and holding the princess’ hand as she repeated "My God, my God. ”

"She repeated words like 'My God, My God', I tried to reassure her, telling her in English 'Don't worry', " the Mirror quoted Redjil, as telling a French investigating magistrate.

"She opened her eyes but she didn't answer me, she simply continued moving her hand, I think she was unconscious, ” he added.

He also described how paparazzi photographers stood around the car taking photographs rather than offering to help.

He said that the photogs had arrived before the emergency services and described seeing driver Henri Paul dead at the wheel, his hand sticking out of the window.

Redjil described seeing a man he would later learn was Diana's boyfriend, Dodi Fayed, thrown against the rear left hand window.

In answer to a question, he told the magistrate: "I did not touch anyone else, I only held the Princess's hand. "

His friend Belkacem Bouzid described seeing Diana's watch hanging loose from her wrist but said her shoes were still on her feet.

He also remembered hearing her say: "My God, My God. "

Bouzid said that as he moved towards the car he saw the flashes and initially thought it was the emergency services only to learn it was the paparazzi.

"I asked one of the photographers, specifically the fattest one amongst them what I should do, " Bouzid said.

"The fat photographer replied: 'Don't touch anything, it's Princess Diana, she's with Dodi, ” he added. (ANI)