Ambulance worker who died when an ‘object’ smashed through vehicle ‘had returned to the front line’
Tragic death of ambulance worker, 66, who was killed on 999 call when ‘object’ smashed through his windscreen is ‘NOT believed to be foul play’ – as it is revealed he came out of retirement to battle pandemic
- Jeremy Daw was sat in the passenger seat of an ambulance when an object pierced his windscreen
- The 66-year-old worker had returned to the front line to battle the pandemic after retiring last year
- The emergency worker who has been hailed as a ‘hero’ died responding to a 999 call on A49 near Hereford
An ambulance worker who was killed when an ‘object’ pierced through 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 smashed through the windscreen on the busy A49 in Herefordshire at around 8am on Saturday.
Despite the efforts of his emergency services colleagues, the grandfather, who had retired but returned to his job to join the battle against the pandemic, died at the scene.
His colleague, who was driving the ambulance, was also injured but was later discharged from hospital 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, 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’.
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 ambulance when the object shot through the windscreen
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.’
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 described her father as ‘my hero’ on social media.
West Midlands Ambulance Service emergency operations delivery director Nathan Hudson said: ‘He was a remarkable character. He was one of life’s good guys and he will be sorely missed in and around Hereford.’
He added that Mr Daw retired as a paramedic in November 2020 before rejoining as a technician in January this year to ‘support the trust during the pandemic’.
Speaking about the incident, Mr Hudson said: ‘We had a 999 call where the crew responded yesterday shortly before 8am.
‘About a minute after eight we had a 999 call to say the 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 because he was unconscious and started life-saving treatment to try and resuscitate him.’
He added: ‘We don’t think this was malicious, we think this is a tragic accident.’
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.’
Mr Daw died following the incident on the A49 near the village of Morton on Lugg near Hereford
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.’
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.’
An object pierced the windscreen of the ambulance near the village of Morton on Lugg near Hereford. Pictured: The ambulance after the object hit the windscreen
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.
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
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.
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.
