Tributes paid to ‘kind and dedicated’ 21-year-old paramedic who died in ambulance crash

Tributes have been paid to a “kind and dedicated” 21-year-old paramedic who died in a recent ambulance crash.

Alice Clark, 21, was a newly-qualified paramedic who died this week after the ambulance she was in was involved in a collision with a cement lorry.

Ms Clark’s parents have described their daughter as “beautiful, kind and fun-loving”.

Tributes have also been paid by Ms Clark’s colleagues at the South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb), who described her as a “kind and dedicated paramedic”.

Police are appealing for witnesses

Ms Clark was travelling toward an incident in an ambulance on Wednesday night (5 January), when the vehicle was involved in a crash with a cement lorry.

Ms Clark was travelling with two paramedic colleagues, both of whom were taken to hospital following the incident, one via air ambulance with multiple serious injuries.

No patients were on board the ambulance at the time of the crash.

Emergency services rushed to the crash, including the air ambulance, but, despite their efforts, she died at the scene.

A male paramedic, who suffered serious multiple injuries, was airlifted to Kings College Hospital in London, and a student paramedic, who was travelling in the rear of the vehicle, was taken to hospital with a head injury.

The lorry driver suffered minor injuries, a spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) said.

The crash happened on the A21 near Sevenoaks in Kent, and Kent police are appealing for information and dashcam footage from any witnesses.

‘She will be missed more than words can say’

Speaking about their daughter, Ms Clark’s parents said on Thursday: “Alice was so excited to qualify as a paramedic and looked forward to every shift.

“She was a beautiful, kind, fun-loving daughter, sister and granddaughter.

“She loved to travel and anyone who met her loved her. She will be missed more than words can say by family and friends.

“We would ask for privacy at this very sad and tragic time for us.”

Giovanni Mazza, manager for the Paddock Wood Operating Unit where Ms Clark was based, said: “Although she had only been with us for a short time, Alice was already very much part of our ambulance family and will be remembered as a kind and dedicated paramedic.

“She will be deeply and sadly missed by her colleagues and we’re sending our love and prayers to her family and friends during this horrendous time.”

SECAmb executive director of operations Emma Williams said: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague and our heartfelt sympathies go to her family, friends and colleagues at this very difficult time.

“Our thoughts are also with the other injured staff members as well as all of those who responded to the incident.

“We are supporting the police in their inquiries and would urge anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact them.”

Anyone with information that might assist the police investigation is asked to call 01622 798538 quoting RY/CS/03/21, or email [email protected]