Paramedic from Crowborough admits causing colleague's death after fatal crash

A newly qualified paramedic died when the ambulance she was travelling in took a wrong turn and crashed into a cement lorry, a court has heard.

A newly qualified paramedic died when the ambulance she was travelling in took a wrong turn and crashed into a cement lorry, a court has heard.

Alice Clark, 21, had been working in the role for two months before the tragic incident in January 2022.

Now, ambulance driver Edward Riding, 45, has pleaded guilty to causing his colleague’s death by driving carelessly on the A21.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how Riding, of Kemps Farm Road Crowborough, was reacting to an emergency when he was diverted and took the wrong turn, before hitting a kerb causing the ambulance to veer across the road.

A few weeks after the crash, Alice’s colleagues lined the street as they paid their respects to the ‘beautiful and kind’ paramedic.

Alice’s heartbroken parents previously paid tribute to her and said she had loved working for the ambulance service.

They said: "Alice was so excited to qualify as a paramedic and looked forward to every shift. She was a beautiful, kind, fun-loving daughter, sister and granddaughter. She loved to travel. Anyone who met her loved her. She will be missed more than words can say by family and friends.”