A21 crash: Paramedic killed as ambulance collides with cement lorry in Kent

Two other ambulance workers - including student - hurt as lorry driver suffers minor injuries

A female paramedic has died after a crash between an ambulance and a cement truck.

Three members of staff were travelling in the ambulance when the collision happened on the A21 near Tonbridge, in Kent, on Wednesday evening. They were not transporting a patient at the time.

A male paramedic suffered serious injuries and a student sustained a head injury. The lorry driver suffered minor injuries.

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (Secamb) said: “Multiple crews attended the scene, including the air ambulance service alongside police and fire service colleagues.

“Despite the best efforts of everyone involved, a female paramedic sadly died at the scene.

“A male paramedic, who sustained 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.”

Emma Williams, Secamb’s executive director of operations, added: “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 is appealing for anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage to come forward.

The force said in a statement: “Kent Police was called to the scene at 8.16pm on Wednesday 5 January following a report of a collision involving an ambulance and a cement lorry.

“Four people were injured in the incident, two of them were seriously hurt and the air ambulance was in attendance.

“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.”