Red Cross annoyed

“Gawkers” pulled out smartphones after serious accident

Symbolic image(Bild: Land Steiermark/Binder)

The emergency services had to deal with rubberneckers in Voitsberg on Saturday morning following a serious traffic accident with three casualties. The Red Cross is now warning people to leave their cell phones in their pockets in such cases.

Three cars collided on Saturday morning at the Greißenegg tunnel portal on the B 70 bypass in Voitsberg (Styria) - one person was trapped in the vehicle and two others were injured. The Red Cross was on the scene with eleven emergency crews and an emergency doctor.

However, what the paramedics experienced at the scene of the accident has now given rise to criticism: onlookers gathered around the wrecked car and took photos and videos of the incident. "Unfortunately, our emergency services are experiencing this more and more frequently: instead of helping or at least making room for the emergency services, people are pulling out their smartphones and filming the suffering of others," criticizes Marcel Hausegger, press spokesman for the Voitsberg-Köflach service.

Respect for the injured
"This is disrespectful, immoral and can even have criminal consequences." Hausegger therefore appeals: Anyone who is unable to help should leave the scene of the accident or get out of the way and leave their cell phone in their pocket.