West Midlands Ambulance Service said Jeremy Daw, 66, was in the passenger seat of the ambulance when it was en route to a 999 call on Saturday morning.

He died at the scene, and the driver of the ambulance needed hospital treatment but was discharged on Saturday afternoon.

Here's what we know so far about the crash on the A49 in Herefordshire.

What happened on Saturday morning?

The ambulance crew were on route to a 999 call when an object struck the ambulance’s windscreen at 8am. It happened at the junction of Moreton Road and the A49, north of Hereford, as the vehicle was travelling towards Leominster.

Multiple resources attended the scene, which included two emergency ambulance crews, paramedic officers, the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham and two Mercia Accident Rescue Service doctors.

The Midlands Air Ambulance. Stock picture: Michael Cole

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Sadly, despite everyone’s best efforts, nothing could be done to save our colleague, who was the front passenger, and he was confirmed dead at the scene.

“His crewmate, the driver, was also injured in the incident. He has received treatment at hospital and has subsequently been discharged.”

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West Midlands Ambulance Service emergency operations delivery director Nathan Hudson said the ambulance was responding to a 999 “category two” call shortly before 8am when it was struck by the object.

Who was the ambulance technician killed?

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.

What has been said about Jeremy Daw?

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”.

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”.

West Midlands Ambulance Service emergency operations delivery director Nathan Hudson

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

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“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.”

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.

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.”

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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.

What has the NHS chief executive said?

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

NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens

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.”

What has West Mercia Police said, and was a stone thrown?

Police have issued a new appeal for witnesses to yesterday's fatal ambulance crash, and have again stressed that they do not believe a deliberate act was responsible.

A West Mercia Police officer at the closure point on the A49 north of Hereford

In a new statement released today (Sunday), a West Mercia Police spokesman said: “This was a tragic and difficult incident to deal with and our thoughts are with [Mr Daw's] family, and with our colleagues at West Midlands Ambulance Service.

“We are still thoroughly investigating this incident, and although at an early stage we are satisfied that this was not a deliberate act despite some speculation on social media."

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They added: “We are continuing to support the victim’s family at this challenging time and would ask that they are given time to grieve and respect their privacy.

"They would like to thank everyone for the support and well wishes they have received.

“We appeal for witnesses to or those who have dashcam footage from the area call 101 reference 101 i 2404.”

How can I pay tribute to Jeremy Daw?

Mr Hudson added that the service had received some "unbelievable" messages of condolence from across the country.

Jeremy Daw, bottom left, with family members

Tributes have poured in after Jeremy Daw, a member of an ambulance crew, was killed in a crash in Herefordshire.

Mr Daw has now been officially named so we now welcome mention of his name in your tributes.

You can leave your message in our book of condolence using the blue button below (it will not appear immediately, but we will upload it as soon as we can).