BVI News

Stop recording accident scenes!

Vincent Wheatley

Health and Social Development Minister Vincent Wheatley has called out individuals who take video recordings of accident scenes and put clips on social media for residents and people of the diaspora to see.

The minister said some residents see horrific accident scenes as the perfect opportunity to go live on social media. He said this happened recently after a little girl drowned at sea on Virgin Gorda.

He called on persons to refrain from this practice as relatives of the victims are often traumatized by recordings of their loved ones on social media.

“This practice I’ve seen in the BVI — there’s an accident, you go to the scene and you start recording it live. I don’t know where that ever came from but it’s something we should not do,” the minister said

“These people (victims) and their relatives are overseas and when they see you going live they are wondering what’s happening – is he dead or alive? I saw it happen when the little girl drowned, I saw it on Facebook. You can’t do that. Be a little more sensitive to their relatives who may not be around and are hearing rumours going around. I know you want to break the news but be a bit more considerate of the confusion you cause in people’s lives when you do that,” Wheatley stated.

With the popularity of social media, many sociologists have highlighted that people are more likely to record rather than help victims. They say social media has worsened the bystander effect, which is a social phenomenon where people refrain from intervening in an emergency situation because there are other people around.

 

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18 Comments

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  1. That is the norm here says:

    They will prefer to stand around recording a person in distress or need help.

    Like 19
    Dislike 1
  2. Nonsense get your priorities straight says:

    What you need to do is look into train peoplev to deal with the maintenance department in the hospital so we do not have this embarrassment of such a beautiful hospital. Get your priorities straight
    It is a shame that you have no back up plan for emergency maintenance service
    You are a waste if people votes

    Like 3
    Dislike 12
  3. Salty Fish says:

    It is not just here that it happens – but a set of sick people who do that for sure! I saw the one video of the two gentleman and the sewage truck at the bottom of Joe’s Hill! One young man was still moving, and they are filming like he is nothing, like it was entertainment TV, as the young man sees his last minutes of life having an f-ing cell phone shoved in his face! Where’s your damn heart, your common decency, or basic respect?

    Like 22
  4. Me. Again says:

    Yes some empathy can /should be shown —— but more than not , these live footage takes away a LOT of speculation from the situations ; We have installed CCTV cameras at various locations territory wide —- do these not record accidents also ??? CYBER security AND disclosure of ASSETS of public figures need Greater / Urgent attention—- soonest

    Like 5
    Dislike 2
  5. Mixed feelings says:

    Recording for the wrong reason is poor but if it’s for evidence fine. We have a society that is hush hush on everything. Sometimes those recordings are the only relief outlet for justice.

    Like 3
    Dislike 1
  6. Nope says:

    Police get intel from these videos

    Like 3
    Dislike 2
  7. Sturpss says:

    Boss man when we getting a working incinerator? These man finding everything else to talk about except the things we want addressed.

    Like 5
    Dislike 4
  8. Rinse says:

    In order that the BVI continue the cultural practice of secrecy it is important that photos are not taken and theircontents revealed. No receipts no evidence guarantees injustice ,no justice continues along with unidentified perpetrators and “unsolved” happenings.

    Like 3
    Dislike 1
  9. my2cents says:

    Look at Wheatley trying to get people to behave decently. What a lost cause. They really shouldn’t need to be told this but………..

    Like 3
    Dislike 1
  10. Hmmm says:

    They need to start recording you.

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  11. Agree. says:

    Hon. Minister I agree with you especially in cases of Accidents where people Lives are at stake. That is in-humane. But on the other hand, I am glad that Sir Richard took the Pic of his accident in North Sound as that piece of Road was indeed fixed ASAP.

    I am wondering who its going to take to lose their life on that piece of Road above the Robinson O’Neal Memorial Primary School.

  12. Stop it! You must stop it! says:

    Stop the heavy drinking…you must stop it!

  13. Fine says:

    Start a law that will
    Impose fines

  14. One love says:

    Weetabix hush please..coi want answers.

  15. Hmm says:

    All you guys have to do is(DONT BUY ME ANOTHER PHONE) Please/Thanks

  16. Mushrooms says:

    Oh yea. Treat people like mushrooms. Keep them in the dark and feed them s#*t.
    If we didn’t have social media,no one would know what is really going on!

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  17. Ouch! says:

    Oh my God, the accident with the two young men pinned down under the Sewage Truck and sensing their lives drift away by the seconds was terrible reporting. i wouldnt havc have had the courage or the nerves to record that Life and Death situation. The minister is right to ask for persons to be more sensitive with recording and reporting these overly sensitive situations
    I recall a similar situation in North Sound, Virgin Gorda a few years ago when the young Bvi electricity Trainee high on an electricity pole in the area of Biras Creek. It was so gross, seeing the First-hand recording and reporting of that Life-robbing accident.
    May God continue to open our minds and eyes in dealing with such Life stealing situation In more humane and sensitive manners. OneBvi

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