Bystanders criticized for photographing distressing car accident involving Stéphanie Surrugue in Denmark

Last week, Stéphanie Surrugue, an international correspondent and host for DR, was involved in a serious car accident that left her vehicle overturned following a collision. While the incident unfolded, several bystanders stopped to take photos, prompting Surrugue to express her discontent through Instagram Stories, urging them to reconsider their actions. “I can only say stop: Please be considerate, or at least, be tactful and keep your phone in your pocket,” she wrote.

In a segment addressing this behavior, Surrugue shared that although she is physically fine, the experience of being photographed while in distress was deeply unsettling. Christian Berthelsen, a police assistant from the National Police, noted on a broadcast that this trend of bystanders taking pictures of individuals in distress is on the rise. “There is a moral dilemma in taking photos of someone who might be in the middle of a life crisis,” he explained, highlighting concerns that such actions can interfere with emergency efforts and create hazards for traffic.

Claire Muus, who experienced a similar situation in 2018 when her two-year-old son suffered a fatal accident, recounted her distress upon realizing that onlookers had been photographing the tragedy. “I felt as though we were on display,” she said, adding that the experience left her uncomfortable in public spaces.

Berthelsen clarified that while capturing images in public isn’t illegal, using a phone while driving is, and this could lead to legal consequences if shared online without consent. He emphasized that witnesses should focus on aiding during emergencies, rather than simply observing.