Thread: Doctor penalised for failing to assist after car crash

Qld. used to have a charge of "showed callous disregard" which was usually applied to someone who left the scene of an accident without ascertaining whether there were injuries and was assistance required. Normally the charge was applied to hit and run drivers or drunk drivers who left the scene.

Originally Posted by uninformed

So Korg, you are quick to judge this person for her actions as you know them, yet you say even scum need help.....



dont you find that conflicting

I think it's more lack of exposure to those types of situation and environment.

Unless someone has seen the reality of these regions, they may not understand the dynamic risk!

Originally Posted by uninformed

So Korg, you are quick to judge this person for her actions as you know them, yet you say even scum need help.....

dont you find that conflicting

Sorry if I came across that way.
I don't get your question exactly but I'll have a go at answering.

It is myopinion that everyone has a moral obligation to help as best they can if someone needs help. From the brief description of the situation in the original article she didn't even check to see if anyone was hurt. I understand she was fearful of her safety but, at least to my mind, that doesn't trump her obligation to help someone in a possibly life-threatening accident.

I don't like the precedent that it could set- that people make a decision whether or not to help someone based on fear.

If I was getting my head punched in by a couple of blokes when I was at an ATM I'd want someone to help me regardless of how safe they felt.

There's been a thread recently where someone went to the aid of someone who was being attacked by a shark and Ean (I thin it was) related a time when he was saved by a friend from a crocodile. Heroic stuff!

Maybe (because we don't have the whole story), if this lady had been able to at least check the vehicle, she'd've been able to save someone's life.

I'm not saying she did the wrong thing, but I don't reckon she did the right or best thing.

Originally Posted by Tombie

I think it's more lack of exposure to those types of situation and environment.

Unless someone has seen the reality of these regions, they may not understand the dynamic risk!

Wrong. What do you know about me or my experience with dangerous situations?

Has anyone thought that,(1) maybe she didn't have any first aid gear on board,(2) she did not have gloves to prevent AIDS,(3) by going to the next town she could summon the correct response teams.

Originally Posted by UncleHo

Has anyone thought that,(1) maybe she didn't have any first aid gear on board,(2) she did not have gloves to prevent AIDS,(3) by going to the next town she could summon the correct response teams.

That's what I suppose I'm trying to get at- that if people's first reaction is to think of reasons why they can't or shouldn't help someone else no-one will do anything to assist when someone needs it. We can always think of powerful reasons not to act.

Great help/assistance can be given without having all the things you'd like to have on hand. Even just holding someone's hand while they conk out is better than a lot of other options.

I'll have a go at a response...

Again, you've obviously never been in these areas...
Me and a few other 'big' boys were cautious enough when in these areas at night.

I've had to render assistance to a young woman being harassed and threatened in these environments.

Would I, at night, alone, stop by a vehicle in the same situation in these areas... Not likely.

Utopia doesn't actually exist. These are real threatening situations.

As for at an ATM getting pounded... Many a Good Samaritan has been stabbed, maimed or killed trying to step in in recent years...
I'd have to weigh it up... So you may or may not be on your own until they leave (I would then help regardless)

Originally Posted by Tombie

I'll have a go at a response...

Again, you've obviously never been in these areas...
Me and a few other 'big' boys were cautious enough when in these areas at night.

I've had to render assistance to a young woman being harassed and threatened in these environments.

Would I, at night, alone, stop by a vehicle in the same situation in these areas... Not likely.

Utopia doesn't actually exist. These are real threatening situations.

As for at an ATM getting pounded... Many a Good Samaritan has been stabbed, maimed or killed trying to step in in recent years...
I'd have to weigh it up... So you may or may not be on your own until they leave (I would then help regardless)

Cheers mate, any assistance, even after the beating, would be appreciated.