The parents of a young paramedic who tragically lost her life in an ambulance crash at 21 have expressed their gratitude for their daughter’s service being honored with an Elizabeth Emblem.
Gill and Graeme Clark, residing in Kent, will receive the award on behalf of their late daughter Alice, who passed away on January 5, 2022.
The distinguished Elizabeth Emblem is granted by the King to the next of kin of public servants who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Alice Clark, an employee of the South East Coast Ambulance Service, met a tragic end in a collision between the ambulance she was in and a cement lorry on the A21 near Sevenoaks, Kent.
The ambulance driver admitted guilt to causing death by dangerous driving, and an investigation revealed the ambulance service had overlooked complaints about the driver before the fatal incident.
The emblem is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which honors fallen members of the UK Armed Forces due to action or terrorist attacks.
Mr. and Mrs. Clark, along with other emblem recipients’ families, met with Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, at Number 10 Downing Street.
The Clarks shared that their daughter was responding to emergency calls on her routine “blue light” shift when the tragic accident occurred.
Mrs. Clark recounted the heartbreaking moment they received the news of their daughter’s passing. Mr. Clark mentioned that Alice was dedicated to her job and chose to be on the frontline, despite initially aspiring to be a doctor.
During the pandemic, Alice devoted herself to caring roles and completed a work placement with the London Ambulance Service. Her mother described her as funny, adventurous, and dedicated.
The Clarks are scheduled to receive a silver, oval emblem inscribed with “For a life given in service,” encircled by a rosemary wreath symbolizing remembrance and a Tudor crown, with Alice Clark’s name engraved on the reverse side.
The Clarks were accompanied by relatives of Stephanie Davies, a lollipop lady who lost her life in 2006 while on duty outside a Salford primary school. They also met with the family of Jonathan White, who tragically passed away on Christmas Day 1986 due to injuries sustained while setting up festive decorations.