Claims onlookers took selfies with dead body in Darwin CBD
After a man died on a crowded Mitchell Street on Saturday night, one horrified eyewitness claimed onlookers made jokes and even posed for selfies with the corpse.
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
ONLOOKERS took selfies and made insensitive remarks with the body of a man found dead on a crowded CBD street, one horrified witness has claimed.
Police were called to the corner of Mitchell and Peel streets about 11pm on Saturday, with Darwin Watch Commander Richard Howie said the death of the elderly man was not being treated as suspicious.
A picture obtained by the NT News showed the body covered by a sheet on the busy corner.
MORE NEWS
32-year-old Kelvin Bruppacher-Stuart escapes police custody in Darwin CBD
Travellers in NT urged to get tested after three local cases in WA
Canberra push for grey nomads to fill workforce shortfall in the Territory
Despite the tragedy, eyewitness Jess Mather said she was mortified by others’ reaction to the confronting scene.
“There were so many people on each corner taking pictures or facetiming friends,” Ms Mather said.
“Two boys on a scooter pulled up and openly said quick let’s get a selfie with the dead body,” she said.
After telling the boys their behaviour was “so disrespectful,” Ms Mather said the pair claimed: “It’s Darwin, what else would you expect?”
“They laughed and turned around to take a selfie with it,” she told the NT News.
Ms Mather said others made jokes at the situation.
“Looks like someone couldn’t handle their drinks,” one allegedly said.
“Someone pissed the wrong person off,” another reportedly said.
Ms Mather said she was shocked and wanted people to think about how they would feel if someone made jokes about the death of someone they knew.
“I wish people would realise losing someone (no matter their walk of life) is still so sad and not something you make a joke about,” she said.
The Darwin Watch Commander told the NT News police weren’t treating the incident as suspicious.
“There was nothing suspicious or untoward. It was just an elderly gentleman who had a medical episode,” Mr Howie said.
“We’re still trying to identify him and notify the family. He was a local from out of town.”
Water trigger review angers Territory business figures
Territory business figures are seething at the Commonwealth’s Beetaloo water trigger plan. Read why it was introduced.
Man who allegedly attacked bus driver could face more charges
A young man in the grips of a psychotic episode allegedly attacked a driver and caused a Top End bus to come to a screeching halt on the highway, a court has heard.