Tributes are being paid this afternoon to Paramedic, Alice Clark, who tragically died following a collision involving a Trust ambulance on the A21 near Tonbridge at 8.20pm yesterday (5th January 2022).
Speaking about their daughter, Alice’s parents said: “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."
Alice Clark
South East Coast Ambulance
Two other paramedics were taken to hospital following the collision, which happened on the A21 near Sevenoaks in Kent on Wednesday night.
The lorry driver suffered minor injuries, a spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) said.
The ambulance had been on its way to an incident at the time of the crash, the trust confirmed.
Kent Police are investigating what happened and have appealed for dashcam footage and witnesses.
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.”
The incident comes at a time when ambulance and NHS services are under considerable strain from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Three members of staff were travelling in the ambulance at the time of the collision but were not transporting a patient, the trust said.
Emergency services rushed to the crash, including the air ambulance, but, despite their efforts, the female paramedic 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.
Road closures were put in place but have now been lifted, police said.
