The parents of a newly-qualified paramedic who died in an ambulance crash have received an Elizabeth Emblem in recognition of her service.
Gill and Graeme Clark described it as an "amazing honour" on behalf of their daughter Alice, who died on January 5, 2022.
The Elizabeth Emblem is awarded by King Charles to the next of kin of public servants who died in the line of duty.
Ms Clark, 21, who worked for the South East Coast Ambulance Service, died when the ambulance she was travelling in crashed into a cement lorry.
The King honoured the family of 21-year-old paramedic Alice Clark
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The paramedic driving the vehicle pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and a coroner ruled the ambulance service had failed to properly investigate complaints about the driver before the crash.
The emblem is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which honours members of the UK Armed Forces who died in action or as a result of a terrorist attack.
Along with families of other recipients of the emblem, Mr and Mrs Clark met Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones in Number 10.
Following the meeting, Mr and Mrs Clark explained their daughter had been working her usual "blue light" shift responding to emergency callouts when she lost her life.
Mr and Mrs Clark met Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones
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Mrs Clark said: "There was a knock on the door to say that she had been killed. She was doing the job we knew she wanted to do."
Mr Clark added: "She was originally looking to be a doctor… But decided she wanted to be on the front line.
"She loved her job, loved life and loved helping people."
During the pandemic, Ms Clark worked as a carer and for the London Ambulance Service on a work placement.
Mrs Clark said her daughter 'loved her job, loved life and loved helping people'
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Her mother described her as an outgoing individual with a hilarious sense of humour.
She said: "She was so dedicated. She was funny, adventurous, brave. She liked to travel, even on her own. As soon as you could fly again (after the pandemic), she was off.
"We've gone through so much to get here, with the court case, coroner's court. Dealing with all the horrible stuff on top of losing Alice. To have this, and to have her recognised…"
"It's an amazing honour for her," Mr Clark added.
The Clarks are among 53 recipients of the emblem to be named this month
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Mr and Mrs Clark will receive a silver, oval emblem with an inscription reading: "For a life given in service", surrounded by a rosemary wreath - a symbol of remembrance, and a Tudor crown.
Ms Clark's name will be inscribed on the reverse of the emblem.
The Clarks are among 53 recipients of the emblem to be named this month, in the third list to be published since the emblem was established in March 2024.
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