Crowds pay respect to paramedic Alice Clarke who died in A21 crash

More than 100 friends and family were there to remember Alice Clarke, 21, who died when her ambulance crashed with a cement lorry on January 5 on the A21 near Seven Oaks, Kent.

Alice’s colleagues from the South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb), London Ambulance NHS Trust, Air Ambulance Charity Kent, Surrey and Sussex (KSS), and Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), turned out to pay their respects.

Crowds gathered to pay their respects to Alice

Dr Fionna Moore, medical director at Secamb, was among those to pay tribute to Alice during the service in Sittingbourne.

• READ MORE: Tributes to ‘kind and dedicated’ paramedic, 21, who died after ambulance crash

A spokesman for Secamb said: “Staff formed a guard of honour along the drive to the chapel and the cortege included an ambulance as well as two London Ambulance Service (LAS) motorbikes.

“Shortly before the service started, KSS air ambulance flew overhead to pay its respects.

A guard of honour was formed at the funeral for Alice Clarke

“Standard bearers from Secamb, LAS and KFRS led those attending into the chapel and during the extremely moving service, Dr Fionna Moore reflected on Alice’s ambulance career with both LAS and Secamb.

“A really difficult day for Alice’s family and friends, and our thoughts remain with everyone affected.

“Farewell Alice, your shift is done, stand down.”

An air ambulance was flown over the service

Newly-qualified paramedic Alice, and two other paramedics, were responding to an incident when their ambulance was involved in the collision.

There were no patients on board at the time.

Emergency services rushed to the crash, including the air ambulance, but, despite their efforts, she died at the scene.

A male paramedic, who suffered 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, a spokesman Secamb said.

Paying tribute to Alice, Jo Shiner, Sussex Police Chief Constable said: "All of us in Sussex Police are thinking of you at this very sad and difficult time."

While on Sussex Police officer, PC Tom Van Der Wee, said: "Thoughts with Alice’s family, colleagues and all those in green, blue and red who responded to the incident."

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