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Tributes to newly-qualified paramedic, 21, who died in horror crash two months into job

Alice Clark, 21, a newly qualified paramedic who was killed during a crash between an ambulance and a cement lorry on the A21 near Tonbridge in Kent yesterday evening (Jan 5, 2022). Another two paramedics were injured in the collision and were taken to hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the lorry suffered minor wounds. See SWNS story SWNNparamedic2.
Alice Clark, 21, died only two months into the job after being involved in a crash between an ambulance and a cement lorry on the A21 near Tonbridge in Kent. (SWNS)

A female paramedic who died when the ambulance she was in was involved in a crash with a cement lorry had only been doing the job for two months, it has emerged.

Tributes have been paid to newly-qualified paramedic Alice Clark, 21, who died at the scene after the collision with the lorry just after 8pm on Wednesday evening.

She was one of three paramedics travelling in the ambulance at the time of the crash on the A21 in Kent, though it was not taking a patient to hospital.

A male paramedic was airlifted to Kings College Hospital in London with multiple injuries, while a student paramedic was taken to hospital with a head injury. The driver of the lorry suffered minor wounds, police said.

The crash happened on the A21 Sevenoaks Bypass in Kent on Wednesday evening. (Google Maps)
The crash happened on the A21 Sevenoaks Bypass in Kent on Wednesday evening. (Google Maps)

As her parents paid a touching tribute to the 21-year-old, it emerged that she had only joined South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) in November.

In a statement they 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."

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Giovanni Mazza, manager of the Paddock Wood Operating Unit where the 21-year-old was based, added: "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."

The South East Coast Ambulance service had previously confirmed Clark's death in a statement on the crash.

It said multiple emergency service crews had attended the crash, including the air ambulance and police and firefighters, but despite their best efforts, she had died at the scene.

Alice Clark, 21, had only been doing the job since November, it has emerged. (SWNS)
Alice Clark, 21, had only been doing the job since November, it has emerged. (SWNS)

Emma Williams, South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) executive director of operations, said: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague and our heart-felt 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 enquiries and would urge anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact them."

Kent Police have launched an investigation into the crash and have urged any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage of the incident to come forward.

A spokesman said: "Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit have commenced an investigation and are asking anyone with dashcam footage prior to the incident to come forward.

"Anyone who witnessed the collision is also being asked to contact officers."

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