Drivers filming A1(M) crash scene were 'ghoulish' - chief constable

There was a "ghoulish aspect" to drivers illegally filming a fatal crash scene earlier this week, North Yorkshire's chief constable has said.

A 31-year-old man died at the scene on the A1(M) on Wednesday after the HGV he was driving hit a bridge.

Police later said action would be taken against about 30 motorists who had been seen filming the crash site while driving past.

Chief Constable Tim Forber said: "It's illegal and will be dealt with."

The collision, on the southbound carriageway between Boroughbridge and Allerton Park, happened at about 02:10 BST.

Mr Forber told BBC Radio York he had been made aware of several drivers filming as they passed the scene in the hours following the crash.

He said it was "an incredibly dangerous thing to do, using a mobile phone while driving".

"It's illegal and will be dealt with, but actually using it to film is even more dangerous," Mr Forber added.

"We have got the indexes of some of the vehicles involved and those people will be hearing from us."

North Yorkshire Police confirmed that the penalty for using a mobile phone while driving was six points and a £200 fine and those caught would be issued with traffic offence reports.

"Aside from it being against the law and being very dangerous, there is a bit of an issue of respect here," Mr Forber continued.

"This is a young man who has lost his life. He's got a family. It's a tragedy and there's a ghoulish aspect to it."

Mr Forber said he did "not understand" why people had done it and asked those responsible to reflect on their actions.

"Think about if you saw that scene circulating on social media and it was one of your loved ones, how would you feel?" he asked.

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