A 21-year-old medic was killed after her “unsafe” colleague crashed an ambulance into the back of a lorry, despite concerns about his driving being flagged prior to the incident.
Alice Clark tragically died following a collision involving a Trust ambulance on the A21 near Tonbridge when her colleague, Edward Ridding, crashed into the rear of a cement lorry.
Colleagues at the South East Coast Ambulance Service had previously complained about Riding’s driving “standards” but these were “not dealt with appropriately”, an inquest heard.
Roger Hatch, Senior Coroner of North West Kent, said that if these complaints had been properly dealt with, then Clark may still have been alive today.
Clark suffered catastrophic injuries and died at the scene
South East Coast Ambulance
The junior paramedic, who had only started the job a couple of weeks prior, was driving with two others to attend to an emergency on January 5, 2022.
The vehicle then hit the curb and bounced off a parked lorry before it crashed into a cement lorry.
Clark suffered catastrophic injuries and died at the scene despite attempts from Helicopter Emergency Medical Service and Kent Fire and Rescue Service to save her.
Three other people, including a student medic who was sitting in the back of the ambulance, were hurt in the crash.
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In April of this year, Riding, 45, admitted causing her death by careless and inconsiderate driving.
He was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months, at a hearing at Maidstone Crown Court.
The coroner said: “The death of Alice Clark was due to a road traffic accident but that there was a failure by the South East Coast Ambulance Service in their investigation of complaints they had received from other members of their staff over [the driver] where if it had been acted upon could have changed the outcome.”
Hatch said previous complaints made about Riding’s driving “were not dealt with appropriately”. He added: “I am concerned that this could occur in the future and put lives at risk.”
Colleagues at the South East Coast Ambulance Service had previously complained about Riding’s driving ‘standards’
GETTY
He said that there is “no formal complaint procedure in place”, adding: “I am concerned by the evidence that a paramedic raises a complaint with their supervisor and there are no written notes/statement taken and the paramedic is not updated regarding the investigation/outcome.
“I am concerned that without a set complaint procedure in place with statement taking, interviews and time limits lives could be at risk.”
Paying tribute to their daughter, the 21-year-old’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.”
