Driver killed in crash between two ambulances
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Version 0 of 1. Emergency services across the country have offered “solidarity and support” after an ambulance driver was killed in a collision with another ambulance in North Wales. The Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust (WAS) said an urgent response ambulance collided with a patient care service vehicle on a stretch of the A499 in Pwllheli, Gwynedd shortly before 3pm on Thursday. The driver of the patient care service, named locally as John Clift from Pwllheli, died at the scene. Three other people, including one elderly person, were also in the ambulance on a 999 call. All three were taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor with serious injuries, said WAS. Wales Air Ambulances, North Wales Police and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene. WAS say they are “absolutely devastated” at the death of its employee and their thoughts are with everyone involved. Richard Lee, WAS's director of operations, said: "As an ambulance service we deal with road traffic accidents on a daily basis. These are always difficult for our staff to deal with, but even more so when they involve our colleagues.” Emergency services and unions from across the country have also offered messages of condolence, including London’s Metropolitan Special Constabulary, the West Midlands Ambulance Service and Dublin Fire Brigade. The Northern Ireland College of Paramedics said it was "very tragic news" and West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "Our deepest sympathies go out to our colleagues in WelshAmbulance who lost one of their own in a crash today.” Jim Hancox, aircrew supervisor at Midlands Air Ambulance's Strensham base, wrote: "Words can't express the sadness and loss our Welsh Ambulance colleagues will be feeling tonight. We stand shoulder to shoulder with you..." Unison, which represents the ambulance driver, said it was “devastated” by the tragedy. Regional secretary, Margaret Thomas, said: “We pay tribute to our colleague who died, to his service and to patients in Wales. We also offer all our solidarity and support to his family at this harrowing time. “Unison would also pay tribute to paramedics and technicians who came to the aid of their colleagues yesterday as well as the two Welsh Ambulance helmed teams. There can be few more difficult jobs to have to do than work to preserve the life of your colleagues.” Additional reporting by Press Association |