Newry: Woman videoed giving CPR to crash victim calls for law change

Newry: Woman videoed giving CPR to crash victim calls for law change

A traumatic experience unfolded for Fiona Ferris, who was captured on video giving CPR to a man fatally injured in a road crash. She now advocates for the prohibition of photographs and videos at crash sites. Last December, while driving through Newry in County Down with her two young children, Ferris attempted to aid pedestrian Dominic McGrath, who had been struck by a bus. Despite her efforts and those of others, McGrath, 33, passed away at the scene. Ferris only became aware of being recorded after the fact, with the video sent to McGrath’s cousin just 20 minutes after police informed the family of his death.

The distressing situation further unsettled Ferris when she later conversed with McGrath’s family. The video of him lying in the street, unknowingly recorded during her rescue attempt, added to the family’s anguish. McGrath’s relatives declined to comment publicly, still reeling from the shock and distress of the incident. Ferris shared her deep emotional response to the situation, expressing sadness, anger, and a sense of helplessness over the dissemination of the video beyond her control.

In response to the ordeal, Ferris implores lawmakers to criminalize documenting crash scenes, emphasizing the societal obligation to exercise compassion and caution in such circumstances. Tricia O’Neill, a volunteer with the Newry-based advocate group Road Ahead, underscored the profound trauma inflicted upon victims’ families by the circulation of such images. O’Neill advocates for legal protections to preserve the dignity of the deceased and shield their loved ones from enduring further distress due to online dissemination of sensitive imagery.

The prevalence of recording at crash sites has sparked a movement known as Caoimhe’s Law, pushing for legislative measures to deter such practices. Advocates highlight the need to respect the privacy and grieving process of families impacted by tragedies. These images, once shared online, perpetuate a digital trail of trauma, compounding the grief of those left to navigate the aftermath. Recent arrests related to the inappropriate sharing of crash site images underscore the urgency of instituting legal safeguards to prevent such violations. The call for compassion and sensitivity in handling such sensitive content resonates as families grapple with the enduring impact of these digital intrusions on their mourning process

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