Why do people gather and stare at horrific car wrecks?

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Very early this morning, as I sat typing here in MyLot I heard an engine roar, a screech of tires and then 2 house shaking booms. And then my lights went out. I live in a tiny southern town on a "highway" 2 whole lanes! And we have but 3 police officers, the newest and youngest being on duty last night. One block from my house is a 4 way stop at the junction of another "highway" I ran out my front door to see that a car had completely cut a telephone pole in half and then slammed into a cinderblock building. Our police officer was already there, having been parked nearby. The wires from the pole were sparking, and I grabbed a flashlight and ran to help him. The driver was sitting in the back seat evidently ok, so I asked the officer what I could do to help, well he was in shock too, so all I could do was take my light and stand in the intersection waving off traffic. (the bars were letting out) The pole kept falling and each time, it exploded bluegreen . It is a miracle that not only did the driver live, but that no one was electrocuted, and sparks from the lines didn't set the spilling gas on fire. The fire dept is next door to my house and so the men were there very quickly, our volunteers are true heros, they are always right there. The thing is, with all that was going on, and the danger of the power lines, or fire... people came out to stare. Not to help, only 2 young guys were there right after me offering to help, and I had to pull one back as the pole exploded for the third time, he moved his car to put his headlights on me so I didn't get run down directing traffic. The rest were just gawking and taking pictures with their camera phones! Are they attracted to the lights? One man insisted that he HAD to go down the street past the wreck and argued with me! The apparent threat of live wires convinced him to go another way. But why in Gods name were people taking pictures? I just can't understand the mentality...They didn't know if someone died or was dying in that car. It strikes me as morbid and rather disgusting. The sparks and explosions just seemed to excite them more. I know the reason I ran there is because all I could think of is my daughters fiance is a young police officer, and I was concerned for our lone cop out there by himself. But well it's all very disturbing the picture taking and gawking. What are people thinking?