Accident Photos...How Did This Happen?

[Conan71]

After hearing rumors for a week there were photos floating around of the motorcyclist killed on 169 by running into the back of a semi- three of the photos wound up in someone's email box at my office.  They have been deleted and won't go any further at least out of our office.

How on earth did accident investigation photos get circulated like this???  I can't imagine how awful that would be if you were a friend or loved one and all the sudden that came into your in-box.

Any of the POs or EMTs want to chime in?  Seems that usually photos like this wind up very closely guarded unless they are used for prosecution or are subpoenaed for civil action.

[tulsacyclist]

I received those same photos and just assumed they were from another non-related accident elsewhere and someone simply attached them to this recent accident story.

But I could be wrong.. anyhow, like you - I didn't forward them on.

[Breadburner]

With all the folks running around with digi cams and the like....Maybe it was a regular joe with a cam....

[ttownclown]

From my understanding, EMTs & Paramedics regularly take photos at accidents on their personal cameras. I asked once, why? Their response, " I don't know, we just do".

[AngieB]

It's terrible how insensitive people can be. I remember hearing about how some photos from an accident where a teenage girl was killed got circulated around and eventually ended up in the email boxes of her family. Nobody needed to see them -- I understand they were quite gory and graphic -- especially not her parents.

What is wrong with people?

[Townsend]

Some folks have a morbid curiosity and others want to forward the shock they felt.  It's gross but it happens

[cannon_fodder]

While it certainly seems insensitive and is inappropriate, I can understand how seeing things like that day in and day out could make it seem like not a big deal.  Not an excuse, just an explanation.  Unfortunately, like safety around heavy machines - agencies probably need to remind their employees of the obvious.

[Conan71]

I guess it's one thing for some EMT's private archives, but to circulate it is another.  I think they ought to track down who is responsible and fire them if it was someone from EMSA, TFD, or TPD.  It's incredibly insensitive, and IMHO, there's no good purpose served by an emergency response worker with a personal camera on the scene.

If it happened to be one of his riding buddies, then he can deal with his own conscience.

[tim huntzinger]

The family is aware of the situation and are considering action.  No way it was a schmo just passing by.  IMO the Council and Mayor should investigate and assess penalties.

[Porky]

I got an email with 3 pictures on it. One was of the bike and the other two were shots taken from different angles of him stuck into the trucks back door with his helmet on.

It wasn't really bloody nor were there any guts laying around. It was horrific to see but nothing any worse then they show on the TV every night.

[Wilbur]

I sent private messages to a few of you here asking you to send the email to me with the photos attached.  I'll have the higher ups look into it.

[sgrizzle]

I saw them printed out. I heard they were from an EMT.

[mspivey]

I got them for a guy at work who knew I recently fell off my cycle and broke my thumb. He was sure I would be interested. I wasn't.

I'm sorry the guy got killed but from what I've heard it was close to suicide.

[tim huntzinger]

quote:Originally posted by Wilbur

I sent private messages to a few of you here asking you to send the email to me with the photos attached.  I'll have the higher ups look into it.

Oh.  Lookee there.  On a forum in Dallas.  Get wun of them real smart like detecktuvs we got to figger it out.

DUHHHH hear day r

[tim huntzinger]

Do not mean to be snarky to you in particular, Wilbur.  It would seem that if anyone in the PD cared to find them and intended to do anything about it they would.  Actually it is good of you to take the lead on this while others in a position to do something have remained silent.