S'pore photographer allegedly blocks ambulance with tripod at Bukit Merah

While dining at a coffeeshop at Jalan Bukit Merah, an elderly man suddenly felt faint and fell over.

Worried, the owner of the coffeeshop and two customers attended to him, and an ambulance was called.

But when the ambulance arrived at the location, it was allegedly blocked by a photographer.

The photographer was apparently among the crowd of birdwatchers who were in the area because of a family of red-breasted parakeets.

Told him to move

The coffeeshop owner, Danny Lek, later shared photos of the incident on Facebook.

Speaking to Mothership, he explained that it took place at around 4:40pm on Jul. 7.

The carpark in question has two lanes. As a lorry was also attempting to enter at the same time, Lek signalled the lorry to move to the right to let the ambulance in.

The driver complied.

But a photographer remained in the middle of the left lane with his tripod and camera set up, apparently blocking the ambulance.

When Lek shouted at him to move aside, the man allegedly "stared at [him]".

He only moved after Lek raised his voice and other people began turning to look.

Lek added that the ambulance had its siren on, and was trying to avoid him but could not advance.

In response to Mothership's queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) confirmed that it received a call for assistance at the time.

One person was conveyed to Singapore General Hospital (SGH).

His son subsequently told Mothership that his father has difficulties hearing, which may have affected his ability to respond to the ambulance's approach.

He added that the family regrets any inconvenience caused.

"Bad reputation"

The post was reshared in a birders' Facebook group, where users condemned the photographer's apparent antisocial behaviour.

Other users remarked that the man in question has a bad reputation in the birding community.

"When watching or shooting birds, please give way to ambulances. People's lives depend on it," one said.

The issue of large crowds of nature enthusiasts and photographers gathering at sites with particular "rare" bird sightings has been discussed before.

Large crowds can also cause the animals stress, co-CEO of the Animal Concerns Research & Education Society (ACRES) Kalai Venon said previously.

"Do not crowd, be noisy or use lights like spotlights or other external sources including flash. Your need for a good photo does not need to come at the expense of the animal's welfare," Kalai added.

Most of the birders at Bukit Merah appeared to be keeping a respectable distance from the nest.

Top image from Danny Lek