Ambulance worker who died when an ‘object’ smashed through vehicle ‘had returned to the front line’

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An ambulance worker who was killed when a ‘stone’ pierced through his windscreen as he raced to a 999 emergency was a week away from retiring for a second time having rejoined the front line this year amid the coronavirus pandemic.    

Jeremy Daw, 66, who was also known as Jack, had been sitting in the passenger seat of the ambulance when the rock smashed into the windscreen from a passing lorry heading towards a nearby quarry on the busy A49 in Herefordshire at around 8am on Saturday.

Despite the efforts of his emergency services colleagues, the grandfather, who had only returned to the West Midlands Ambulance Service in January this year to join the battle against the pandemic, died at the scene. 

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

Today, West Mercia Police said an investigation was ongoing into the exact circumstances of the tragic incident but ‘it is not believed to be foul play’. 

In the wake of the tragedy, which has since been described as a ‘freak accident’, friends and family paid tribute to the ambulance worker, hailing him a ‘true hero’. 

Mr Daw’s brother, Philip, told The Sun: ‘It was a freak accident, an absolute tragedy. Initially our worry was that someone had thrown something through the windscreen but this has been discounted.

‘There was a lorry full of stones and it appears a stone was flicked up but at this stage no one is sure. It is still being investigated.’

Another source said: ‘He came out of retirement and supported his colleagues during the second wave. He wanted to be back on the front line helping his colleagues.’

Today West Midlands Ambulance Service emergency operations delivery director Nathan Hudson said the incident was a ‘tragic accident’ and not believed to be ‘malicious’. 

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 said: ‘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, who retired as a paramedic in November 2020, was eight shifts away from retirement full-time, having returned ‘to support the trust during the pandemic’ at the start of 2021. 

He added: ‘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’. 

Following his death, Mr Daw’s relatives and friends paid tribute to the front line worker who ‘was a mentor to a lot of people’ and a ‘true hero’.   

The emergency worker’s granddaughter shared a picture on social media of Mr Daw on a train with a dog in his arms alongside a post which read: ‘Not all superheroes wear capes, love you grandad.’

And Mr Daw’s daughter Kate described her father as ‘my hero’ on social media.    

Also paying tribute to the front line worker, a 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.’ 

While another tribute for the key worker read: ‘I’m so very sorry for you and your family at this time. Jack was a hero amongst his colleagues on station and will so very badly missed.  

‘RIP Jack, stand down, you’ve given your all in the service of others.’

Another person added: ‘So sorry for your loss I’m absolutely heartbroken for you and your family. He was a true hero.’

Elsewhere one of the ambulance worker’s relatives wrote: ‘As they say, not all super-heroes wear capes, some wear a green uniform and they are called paramedics, some are even called family. 

‘You were a great man Jeremy, and will be sorely missed by all your family. Will be raising a glass to you tonight.’

While another person added: ‘What a wonderful man, so sorry I’m thinking of you all.’ 

Another friend wrote: ‘He was a wonderful man and loved by so many. In our hearts and thoughts.’

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.’       

Today, a West Mercia Police spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘We were called at around 8am yesterday (24 April) to reports of an incident near the junction of Moreton Road, towards Leominster, involving an ambulance vehicle whilst on route to a 999 call.

‘Sadly the technician in the passenger’s side of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of the emergency services who attended.

‘Our thoughts are with the deceased’s loved ones and our colleagues in West Midlands Ambulance Service at this difficult time.

‘The investigation is ongoing into the exact circumstances of this tragic incident but at this time it is not believed to be foul play.’ 

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. 

‘I am sorry that despite their best efforts, he could not be saved.’ 

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.

Police said the ambulance had been travelling towards an emergency in Leominster when the object struck the windscreen.  

Two ambulance crews and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Stensham rushed to the scene alongside two Mercia Accident Rescue Service doctors.

Following the accident yesterday, images from the scene showed the scale of the damage to the windscreen. 

The road was also closed off between junctions Church Road and the junction to Upper Lyde as police carried out their investigations. 

It comes as three South Western Ambulance Service employees were injured on Sunday when a car crashed into their stationary ambulance in Bristol around 4.30am, Avon and Somerset Police said. 

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.