A tragic incident involving an ambulance crash on the A21 near Sevenoaks in January 2022 has seen a paramedic, Alice Clark, lose her life due to the careless driving of her colleague. Newly qualified paramedic Alice Clark, aged 21, had been working in the role for just two months when the fatal incident occurred.

The ambulance driver, Edward Riding, aged 45, has recently pleaded guilty to causing the death of his colleague by driving carelessly. The incident unfolded while the ambulance was responding to an emergency call. Riding, residing at Kemps Farm Road in Crowborough, was navigating the vehicle when it took a wrong turn after being diverted. This wrong turn led to a collision with a kerb, causing the ambulance to veer dangerously across the road and ultimately leading to the tragic crash.

Alice Clark, originally from Newington near Sittingbourne, had pursued her dream of becoming a paramedic, graduating from the University of Greenwich in July 2021. She joined the South East Coast Ambulance Service just two months before the accident, demonstrating her dedication and passion for her role.

The ambulance was carrying three paramedics at the time of the crash, and it was not transporting a patient to the hospital. Riding, the driver, sustained multiple injuries and was airlifted to Kings College Hospital in London for treatment.

Riding has been subjected to an interim driving ban until his sentencing, scheduled for April 17. He remains on bail while probation prepares a report on the case.

In the wake of the incident, Alice Clark’s colleagues paid their respects to the “beautiful and kind” paramedic, lining the streets during her funeral procession. Megan Kuhn, a student paramedic who was in the back of the ambulance during the crash, suffered head injuries. The driver of the cement lorry involved in the collision sustained minor injuries. The road was temporarily closed for several hours to conduct crash investigations.

Alice Clark’s parents, who were heartbroken by their daughter’s untimely death, fondly remembered her as a loving, adventurous, and fun-loving individual who was passionate about her work as a paramedic. They expressed their profound loss, stating that Alice’s absence left a void that could never be adequately expressed in words.