AN AMBULANCE technician who died after an object pierced his vehicle’s windscreen had returned to the front line after retiring in 2020, his colleague said.

Jeremy Daw, known to friends as Jack, died on Saturday morning when his ambulance was struck by an object as he responded to a 999 call in Herefordshire.

The 66-year-old, who was in the front passenger seat at the time, had only returned to the West Midlands Ambulance Service in January this year, having retired as a paramedic in November 2020.

RELATED NEWS:

Mr Daw, described as a “remarkable character” and “one of life’s good guys”, died at the scene while his paramedic crewmate – who was driving the vehicle – was also injured.

West Mercia Police said they were “satisfied” that the incident was not the result of a “deliberate act”.

NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said Mr Daw “represented the best” of the health service.

Hereford Times: NHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens has paid tribute to Mr Daw. Picture: PA WireNHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens has paid tribute to Mr Daw. Picture: PA Wire

He said in a statement: “After almost three decades’ service, he returned to the frontline from a well-earned retirement to help patients during the coronavirus pandemic, and served as a mentor to younger colleagues.

“On behalf of everyone across the NHS, our heartfelt condolences go to Jeremy’s family, friends and colleagues, as we also wish his crewmate a swift recovery.”

OTHER NEWS:

West Midlands Ambulance Service emergency operations delivery director Nathan Hudson said Mr Daw’s death was the result of a “tragic accident” and was not believed to be “malicious”.

Hereford Times: Ambulance technician Jeremy Daw (bottom left) with family membersAmbulance technician Jeremy Daw (bottom left) with family members

He said the ambulance was responding to a 999 “category two” call shortly before 8am when it was struck by an object near the junction of Moreton Road and the A49, north of Hereford.

Mr Hudson described Mr Daw, who had 29 years experience with the ambulance service and was from Hereford, as a “remarkable character”.

“He was one of life’s good guys and he will be sorely missed in and around Hereford.

“Everybody knew him and he was just a genuinely nice person.

“If you speak to the staff at Hereford, what they remember is that he used to go out and clean the vehicles every morning, he would wipe the windscreens down.

“He used to do that as a matter of course. He took great pride in his work.”

Hereford Times: The A49 was closed for several hours on SaturdayThe A49 was closed for several hours on Saturday

Mr Hudson said Mr Daw was eight shifts away from retirement full-time, having returned “to support the trust during the pandemic” at the start of 2021.

OTHER NEWS:

West Mercia Police said the ambulance was travelling towards Leominster at the time of the incident.

Mr Hudson said: “About a minute after 8am we had a 999 call saying crew had been involved in an incident, whereby an object of some description had gone through and pierced the windscreen and one of the crew members were unconscious.

“The driver of the vehicle, who was also injured, was able to get out and try and help and support Jack, who was unconscious, and started life-saving treatment to try and resuscitate him.”

Mr Hudson said Mr Daw’s injuries were “incompatible with life”.

The driver of the ambulance, who had worked with Mr Daw previously, was taken to hospital for treatment but has since been discharged.