The coastguard has hit out at members of the public who 'recorded a distressing rescue' in Co Down .
Emergency services were alerted to a person in distress in the water in Bangor during the week.
But on arrival, the coastguard said members of the public took their phones out to record the incident and only one passer-by called the emergency services.
Belfast Coastguard urged people to think and to always call emergency services if they see someone in trouble and give professionals room to work.
In a statement on Thursday, a spokesperson said: "Yesterday evening we received a report from Police of a person in the water, in the Bangor area. We tasked Bangor Coastguard Rescue Team and Bangor RNLI lifeboat . Police and Ambulance also attended. There are some things to point out.
"Countless people passed this person, who was clearly distressed. One person phoned 999. One!
"Once units were on scene and it was very obvious a distressing incident was occurring, the phones came out, to record. People also decided to come closer, rather than giving units space to work. All we can really say there is, Think!
"Some of the nature of incidents emergency service attend means they need to turn off their sirens and maybe even their blue lights. If an emergency vehicle appears to in a rush, pull over when safe to do so. THINK!
"Emergencies on the coast, dial 999 and ask for Coastguard. This way, there will absolutely no delay in sending all the correct assets.
"Every single one of us will go through hard times. If it was a member of your family, you’d want random members of the public to call for help wouldn’t you? Also we doubt very much when you sit down later that night, you would want to watch it all over Facebook... THINK!"
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