Firefighters ‘sent WhatsApp photos of dead female car crash victims’ underwear’
Police are investigating after claims Brit firefighters allegedly took pictures of women who died in car crashes and chatted about what underwear they wore at the time of their death in sick WhatsApp messages.
Firefighters at Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service are alleged to have shared images on messaging group on more than occasion, with male firefighters allegedly making degrading comments about the deceased victims.
A whistleblower told ITV News: “I’ve seen people make comments about the type of underwear the women are wearing in the car crash.”
READ MORE: Met Office issues Beast from the East prediction as maps show exact date snow ‘hits UK’
The female firefighter added: “Retrieving the body of someone dead should tear you apart, not make you want to take photos of it, just to joke about it later.
(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“Because that’s someone’s loved one, isn’t it? That’s someone’s relative.”
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service have also launched their own independent review.
ITV reported claims around the treatment of women within the organisation, including one male firefighter allegedly demanding sexual favours at the scene of a fire.
The women showed ITV dozens of explicit photographs and messages they had been sent by male colleagues, including demands for sex.
“I’d never want to see a picture like that and it repulses you, and then you have to go back to work,” the anonymous woman told ITV about the photographs.
(Image: Getty Images)
“You have to sit with this person in the truck, you have to go to fire calls with them and you know the way they feel and you know what they’ve sent you. And it just changes the whole atmosphere.”
A second unnamed female firefighter said a male colleague tried to kiss her while they were attending the scene of a fire.
“Whilst we were alone, he was trying to kiss me. Then he said: ‘if we hurry up, then you can give me sexual favours before they come back.’”
In response to the allegations, Chief Fire Officer for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service, Ben Ansell, told ITV News: “As allegations of criminal behaviour are involved, we have immediately alerted the police so the appropriate action can be taken.
“I am also commissioning an independent investigation. As part of this investigation, I will be providing all of our female staff with the opportunity to speak to an independent organisation.
“It is vital to have their help in identifying any inappropriate behaviour – in a modern fire and rescue service there is absolutely no place for it.”
If you or somebody you know has been affected by this story, contact Victim Support for free, confidential advice on 08 08 16 89 111 or visit their website, www.victimsupport.org.uk.
READ NEXT: