Diana conspiracies unfounded, experts say

LONDON, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Conspiracy theories swirling around the Paris deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed are unfounded, experts told a London hearing investigating the wreck.

Scotland Yard collision investigator Anthony Read discounted a minor collision between the Mercedes carrying the couple and a white Fiat Uno reported before the fatal crash, The Times of London reported Wednesday.

Read told the investigators it would be "virtually impossible" to create the scenario that took place 10 years ago.

Several investigators cited evidence the Mercedes and Fiat were involved in a collision near the entrance to the Alma Tunnel in France, which some claimed was part of a conspiracy to kill Diana.

But Read said the speed and weight of the Mercedes would have caused greater damage to the Fiat had the incident been deliberate.

"Had the impact been any more than a glancing blow the effect on the Fiat is going to be much greater than any sustained by the Mercedes," Read said.

Read noted the Mercedes was traveling up to 40 mph more than the speed limit when it struck the tunnel wall and added, Diana and Fayed would have had "an increased chance of surviving" if they had buckled their seat belts.