Photo: Dawn Goerlitz

Submitted photo of fatal crash in Keremeos on July 21

The chief of the Keremeos Volunteer Fire Department is asking the public to stay clear of emergency scenes, following an incident at a fatal accident last week.

Jordy Bosscha said firefighters were attempting to extricate a person from a crash on Friday on Highway 3, when a member of the public strolled into the middle of the crash scene with their phone, taking video.

“It really bothered a lot of the guys who were working,” Bosscha said.

A 79-year-old man died as a result of the collision.

“Usually, there is people driving by taking pictures as they are driving by the accident scene, but this was a first, where someone actually got right into the scene and had their phone right in that vehicle,” he said.

One of the attending firefighters actually knew the intruder, and gave them a stern dismissal, but Bosscha said it created an unsafe situation.

“I’m pretty sure I can speak for every emergency service that's on a scene working, especially a tragic accident, people need to give everyone the space that they need,” he said.

“Not only is it unsafe and you are hindering us, but it's very disrespectful, and bothers everyone on the scene trying to do the best they can to alleviate a bad situation.”