Studies in serious journalistic hypocrisy 101

The Telegraph online is good for sport, but reading this has made me seriously consider giving up my obsession with Irish Road Bowling and Welsh Bog Snorkeling (both fine sports nevertheless). The links they had on the original article have been put in bold because they're so... I'm lost for words.

Crash voyeurs were 'sick and disrespectful'

By Vikki Campion and Lauren Williams

April 01, 2009 12:00am

OUTRAGE is growing over tales of sick voyeurism at the scene of this heartbreaking crash at Burwood, where a young mum lost her life this week.

When the woman slammed into a tree late on Monday night, a male loved-one ran to the car, pulling at the door in a desperate bid to drag her free.

Instead of rushing to help, some onlookers filmed the scene on handicams and mobile phones, even as the distraught man screamed for help.

What do you think of the crash voyeurs? Tell us

Rescue workers have told The Daily Telegraph Online, the phenomenon is becoming all too common at accident scenes around Sydney.

On Monday night, a few brave residents rushed forward to extinguish flames that began breaking out around the wreck, but others just walked out of their homes and stared.

Death Porn: Residents entertained by violent crash deaths

Gallery: Heartbreaking scenes from the fatal accident

Dean Ivory, who lives directly opposite the crash scene, was one of the few to assist.

He was disgusted by other residents filming the man as he cried by the car, without offering to assist.

"People were taking photos, they had their video cameras out," Mr Ivory said.

Do you have any more information about the accident? Call us in confidence on (02) 9288 3413 or email webphoto@dailytelegraph.com.au

"It was really sick and disrespectful.

"I had words with one guy who had his handy cam out, I let out a few expletives - I was about to grab his camera out of his hands. "The guy was next to the car ... he was screaming, saying no, no."

Mr Ivory's wife Ingrid Clifford said another young woman was filming the scene on her mobile phone. "She was saying, 'is she young like me?'," Mrs Clifford said. "We thought it was horrendous, but other people seemed to think it was exciting."

Readers have flooded The Daily Telegraph Online with comments condemning their behaviour.

Read some of them here

A Fire Brigade Rescue officer identified as Greg Nugget said such voyeurism was now common emergency scenes. "I experience this on a daily basis," he said. "At a recent car accident, there were over 200 bystanders who would not move on despite numerous attempts by the Police. "I have even had to push my way through people to get equipment off the truck and have had people looking over my shoulder as I attempt to cut someone from a car. "It is sad when people's tragedy becomes entertainment.

Another said: "What sort of mother would let her children watch someone die? "Surely the only appropriate action is to take the kids inside. It makes me hope that if I am ever fatally injured it will be somewhere where the locals have some concept of dignity - both theirs and mine."

Source: The Daily Telegraph Online