The Associated Press
PADUCAH, Ky. — Authorities are investigating a Western Kentucky paramedic who took photos of injured or dead people with his cell phone camera and posted them on the Internet.
John Snow, who has worked 10 years for the Clinton-Hickman County Ambulance Service, told the Paducah Sun that he posted photos of at least three accident victims, including a close-up of a head injury from a person who died after being struck by a falling tree. Other photos showed victims of a motorcycle accident and a gunshot wound, he said.
Snow said he deleted his Web postings last month.
Letch Day, director of field operations for the Kentucky Board of Emergency Management Services, said someone who viewed Snow’s postings contacted the board last month, raising questions about privacy rights.
“We were made aware of the site, we viewed the site and found enough evidence that a formal complaint was filed by our office,” Day said.
He said he could not discuss details of preliminary findings until the investigation is completed.
If an investigator determines that Snow was unethical, Day said, a hearing would be held by the attorney general’s office to revoke Snow’s EMS certification.
Paula Boaz, director of the ambulance service, apologized for earlier comments she made to the paper in which she said Snow had been cleared of any wrongdoing by state agencies.
“I just found out today (Thursday) about the investigation,” Boaz said. “The last time I talked with them, they indicated nothing would happen unless someone with one of the victims’ families pursued it.”
She said that Snow will continue working while the investigation is under way. She said his only discipline so far has been a warning not to post any more pictures or information about his work with the ambulance service.