Bystanders Criticized For Recording Instead Of Helping As A Man Who Was On Fire Runs From Philadelphia Plane Crash Site

February 1, 2025 - News
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Bystanders Criticized For Recording Instead Of Helping As A Man Who Was On Fire Runs From Philadelphia Plane Crash Site

Philadelphia plane crash

Can we just put down the camera for a second and help?

A medical airplane crashed just after takeoff in Philadelphia last night, the second plane crash this week following the tragic collision between a military helicopter and an American Airlines flight in Washington DC on Wednesday.

The plane in Philadelphia had just taken off, and was reportedly carrying a pediatric patient from Mexico who had flown to the United States for lifesaving care, as well as her mother, two medical professionals and two pilots. Videos from the horrific incident show the plane crashing into the street near the Roosevelt Mall in Philly, an area surrounded by homes and business.

So far, Philadelphia mayor Cherelle Parker has announced that at least one person in a car was killed when the plane crashed into the street, and 19 others on the ground were injured. All six people who were on the plane were also killed.

Several videos of the crash have already been posted to social media, including videos from dash cams and Ring doorbells. But one horrifying video has seemed to get a lot of attention – and drawn criticism of those whose first instinct in a disaster is to pull out their phone and start recording.

A graphic video from the crash site that quickly started making its rounds shows a man engulfed in flames as he runs out of the fiery scene. I debated whether to include it here or not, and honestly there’s just no reason to share it further. If you want to see it you can easily find it on Twitter. But just know, it’s a tough watch.

And while all of the replies hoped that the burning man was ok, many quickly criticized the bystander for recording the man as he was on fire instead of trying to help:

Of course while many were calling out the bystander for not helping, there were some who questioned what he was supposed to do. But it seems like the least he could do is put the damn camera down and not record this guy who’s clearly suffering one of the most traumatic experiences of his life.

I haven’t been able to find an update on the man or his condition yet, but can you imagine being his family (or the man himself) and opening up social media to see everybody talking about a video of your loved one on fire while somebody stood by and filmed it? There may not have been anything that bystanders could have done to help, but at least have the decency not to blast it all over social media for clicks and engagement.

A witness on the scene who was later interviewed by the local news in Philadelphia even had strong words for those whose first instinct was to record as opposed to jumping in to help in whatever way they could:

“I was absolutely scared, but I’m like, ‘I need to find someone I can help.’ Because I cannot stand by and watch people just record. I can’t do that. I don’t record, I help. I don’t care about social media. I help, so that I can save lives.”

The man revealed that he gave the shirt off of his back to help a young child who suffered a head laceration when a piece of debris went through a car window.

And that’s what you should do in an emergency. Not try to get it on video for social media.

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