Ambulance worker, 66, who was killed when an ‘object’ smashed through vehicle windscreen as he raced to 999 call ‘had returned to the front line after retiring’
- Jeremy Daw in passenger seat of ambulance when object pierced windscreen
- The 66-year-old worker had returned to the front line after retiring last year
- The emergency worker died responding to a 999 call on A49 near Hereford
An ambulance worker who died after an ‘object ‘pierced his windscreen as he was responding to a 999 emergency had returned to the front line after retiring last year.
Jeremy Daw, 66, who was also known as Jack, had been sitting in the passenger seat of the ambulance when the object shot through the windscreen on the A49 in Herefordshire at around 8am on Saturday.
Despite the efforts of his emergency services colleagues, Mr Daw, who had returned to his job after retiring, died.
His colleague, who was driving the ambulance, was also injured but was later discharged from hospital after receiving treatment.
Jeremy Daw (pictured), 66, also known as Jack, who had returned to the front line after retiring last year, was sitting in the passenger seat of the Mercedes ambulance when the object shot through the windscreen
Yesterday, Mr Daw’s colleagues paid tribute to the front line worker who ‘was a mentor to a lot of people’.
A source told The Sun: ‘The poor man was incredibly well respected and well liked. He was a mentor to a lot of people. It is devastating.’
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson 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.’
West Midlands Ambulance Service Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, said: ‘This is truly awful news, and my thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and colleagues of those involved at this very difficult time.
‘I am enormously proud of all the staff and the university students as part of their clinical placement that worked so hard and professionally to try to save our colleague.
Mr Daw died following the incident on the A49 near the village of Morton on Lugg near Hereford
An object pierced the windscreen of the ambulance near the village of Morton on Lugg near Hereford
‘I am sorry that despite their best efforts, he could not be saved.’
Mr Daw’s daughter described her father as ‘my hero’ on social media.
While another friend wrote: ‘I am so sorry to hear your sad news. Your dad was a great man, always had time for everyone and had a big heart. A true hero.’
West Mercia Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the incident and have appealed for drivers who were in the area to supply dash cam footage.
The incident happened on A49 near the village of Morton on Lugg near Hereford.
Road collision specialists examined the scene in an effort to determine what has happened
West Mercia Police (police pictured at the scene) have launched an investigation into the cause of the incident
Following the incident, which is under full investigation, two further ambulance crews, paramedics and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Stensham rushed to the scene.
Two Mercia Accident Rescue Service doctors also attended the scene.
West Mercia Police said the ambulance was travelling towards Leominster at the time of the incident.
The police are now asking anyone who may have seen the incident or have dash-cam footage to contact them on 101 quoting incident 00101i of 24 April.