POLICE officers have dismissed rumours that a rock was deliberately thrown at an ambulance in Herefordshire, in an incident which left a technician dead.

The ambulance crew were on route to a 999 call at 8am this morning (Saturday) when an object struck the windscreen, near the junction of Moreton Road and the A49.

Multiple resources attended the scene, which included two emergency ambulance crews, paramedic officers, the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham and two Mercia Accident Rescue Service doctors.

RELATED NEWS:

West Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed this afternoon that a technician, who was in the passenger seat, had died.

West Mercia Police officers investigating the crash said it had been a "very difficult shift" and their thoughts were with the ambulance service staff following their tragic loss.

The officers from Herefordshire's operational patrol unit also quashed social media speculation about the crash.

They said they did not believe a rock was deliberately thrown at the ambulance.

"We have also noted speculation on social media regarding a rock being thrown at the ambulance involved today in a deliberate act," they said.

"Whilst we are in the early stages of the investigation we do not believe this is how the collision occurred."

OTHER NEWS:

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.”

The driver was injured in the crash but was discharged from hospital, the ambulance service said

Community answers

Book of condolences: leave you tribute to the ambulance technician killed on duty in Herefordshire

"An ambulance technician was killed on duty in Herefordshire. The ambulance crew were on route to a 999 call when an object struck the ambulance’s windscreen. Please leave your condolences here."

We asked for your responses - this is what you sent.

From Rosalind Weston

My message of sympathyMy deepest sympathies to Jack's family, friends and work colleagues. In passing his knowledge and expertise along to others his memory will live on. Holding you all in my prayers as a midwifery lecturer who has the honour of teaching paramedic students each year.

From Sandra Llewellyn

My message of sympathyDeepest condolences to your family ❤ and friends. Taken to soon. RIP So sad 😢

From Julia Kelly

My message of sympathyOn behalf of my husband and I and all those who served with Jerry in the TA. I would like to give my sincere condolences to his family on their tragic loss. This has come as a deep shock to all who knew and respected him as a friend, neighbour and colleague, and he will be deeply missed. He was an officer and a gentleman. God bless. x

From Chris Read

My message of sympathySuch sad news. I worked with Jerry in the TA in Support Company. He was great fun on manoeuvres and was dedicated and professional in all he did. My heart goes out to his family. RIP, Jerry. Treasured memories of a good man gone too soon.

From Pennie Soaned

My message of sympathyGod bless you, Jack. We both have had the pleasure of being your colleague. You truly were a lovely person. Sincere condolences to you family and friends. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Pennie and Phil Soanes.

From Community contributor

My message of sympathyI remember being looked after by this guy when I gave myself an electric shock. He was fantastic. Top bloke. I'm sorry to hear this happened, and pray for his family at this difficult time.

From Community contributor

My message of sympathySo sorry to hear of such a sad loss. What an amazing man: going back from retirement to help colleagues during this tough year. To hear you had done that, and then to hear you only had four days left to work when this happened is tragic. However, your family can take some comfort from the pride they must have in you. RIP

From Community contributor

My message of sympathyRIP

From Sarah Barratt

My message of sympathyDeepest sympathy to Dawn and family. Jack will always be remembered as one of life's true gentleman.

From Philip Morris

My message of sympathyRIP. God bless all at the Hereford ambulance station, and to his wife and members of his family. Will be very much missed by all.

From Joanne

My message of sympathyThank you so much for your service, and may your soul rest in peace.

From Trix Craig

My message of sympathySuch a sad accident, such a loss, such a professional, always cheerful. RIP, Jack. My condolences to all the family.

From Martin Evans

My message of sympathyRIP. So tragic, especially doing the job that you loved. You will be missed by many. My condolences to your family and friends.

From Nieaal Williams

My message of sympathyHad many good shifts with Jack, and used to love seeing that I was crewed with him when looking at the morning crewing sheets! My deepest condolences to all his family.

From Ian Danks

My message of sympathyHe was a caring and very friendly man. Good at his job. So sorry to read this. Thoughts with Jeremy, his family friends and colleagues.

From john and olive

My message of sympathyOur thoughts are with the family of Jack. What would we do without these emergency services? Admiration doesn't seem to say enough. We can only say its so sad, but it is something that will be always remembered . Words are not enough, but memories last for ever.

From Wayne Broughton

My message of sympathyR.I.P. Duty done, stand down. The world has just lost an immense man.

From Dave Michael, Hereford Company of Bowmen

My message of sympathyOn behalf of Hereford Company of Bowmen, of which Jack was a member until 2016, we remember him as someone who when he turned up on the field with his longbow you always felt: 'Great, Jack's here'. There was always a feelgood factor around him, whether it was a jokey anecdote or an informative conversation. Our sympathies go out to all his family and friends.

From Chopper clarkr

My message of sympathyMy thoughts are with his family and friends. A very, very sad loss of one of our national heroes.

From Emma Wheildon

My message of sympathySending love to all Jack's friends and family from colleagues at Hereford County Hospital x

From Andy and Samantha Long

My message of sympathyA wonderful man, who always had a smile on his face and a positive attitude in whatever he did. It was a pleasure to have known and worked with you, Jack. Our thoughts are with Jack's family and all his colleagues at this sad and difficult time.

From Cerri Quinn

My message of sympathyR.I.P., you true hero. Thank you for your many years serving the public. Thoughts are with your loved ones and colleagues xx

From Community contributor

My message of sympathyThinking of all of Jack's family and friends at this sad time. You sound like you were truly blessed to have Jack in your lives xxx

From Louise Davey

My message of sympathySo so sorry for your loss. Thoughts go out to all of your family and all involved at this sad time.

From Laura Shuker

My message of sympathyI'm truly saddened to hear this tragic news. Jeremy 'Jack' was such a kind, caring and compassionate gentleman, as well as a true hero. I would like to offer Dawn, Richard, Emma, Kate and family my deepest and most sincere condolences. May the soul of 'Jack' rest in peace. Sending prayers to help ease you all through this immensely difficult time.

From Community contributor

My message of sympathyMy sincere condolences to the family for your loss. Though I don’t know your loved one, what I’ve read from those who do show he was clearly well liked and respected. May he be at peace.

From Matthew Perks

My message of sympathyStand easy, your duty is over. My sincere condolences to your family and your green family. From one of your fellow green family in Yorkshire may you R.I.P.

From Ann Morris

My message of sympathyThinking of your family and colleagues at this very sad time. RIP, sir.

From Shirley Jones

My message of sympathyHeart felt condolences to the family of the fallen hero. Sending love hugs and prayers to u all. 💔💔💔💔

From Kim Morris (née Bradford)

My message of sympathyI used to know Jeremy and his family many moons ago, and he had, in fact, treated both myself and Grandad many times. My love and thoughts go to the Daw family, and also their extended family, who I know will be absolutely gutted about this terrible tragedy.

From Community contributor

My message of sympathySo sorry. After returning from retirement to help with Covid, too. My daughter is also a paramedic.

From Community contributor

My message of sympathyI am shocked and saddened, Jeremy was such a friendly, encouraging influence as he volunteered as a Hereford City Guide. I am pleased to say I knew him. He will be greatly missed.

From Philip Smith

My message of sympathySo very sorry for the loss, To all the family. My heartfelt condolences.

From Ken Ellsum

My message of sympathyRIP, Jack. I have fond memories of you at Whitecross school, then we were in the TA together and we worked alongside each other when I was a paramedic. My condolences to Dawn and your family.

From Steve

My message of sympathyJerry, you will be sadly missed by all. Our thoughts are with your family at this difficult time. RIP.

From James Stevenson

My message of sympathyA terrible tragedy. My condolences go to his family

From Kevin pulling

My message of sympathyThoughts with all your family and friends. RIP, Jerry.

From Lynne Collins

My message of sympathyWonderful memories of a true professional. RIP, dear friend. Love and prayers to your wife and family.

From Margaret Kemp

My message of sympathyPrivileged to have known Jeremy as a City Guide. Delighting many visitors with his passion for history and knowledge of the city. He will be greatly missed.

From Ernie Morgan

My message of sympathyWhat an absolute tragedy. Condolences to all Jeremy's family.

From Kelly greenhouse

My message of sympathyMy heart goes out to all of his lovely family. He was a true hero.

From Tim Betambeau

My message of sympathySo sad that someone who spends their life saving others and was on the way to probably save someone else’s life is taken. RIP and condolences to your family friends and brilliant colleagues who are there for all of us in a time of need. I know they have always been brilliant with my mum. Rest in peace.

From Community contributor

My message of sympathySuch tragic news. A kind man who cared for my husband with compassion and respect. Thoughts and prayers with the family and all ambulance staff.

From Adrian Cooper

My message of sympathySuch a sad, tragic event. My condolences to his family and the West Midlands 'green army' (Retired EEAST)

From Steve & Sheena Bescoby

My message of sympathyYesterday we lost a very dear friend in a tragic freak accident. He was on his way to help someone else in difficulty. We will remember him as a happy person with an inquisitive mind and a very caring nature. He and his darling wife certainly lived life to the full, never wasting a moment. They worked hard to create memories for their children and grandchildren and we know they will all miss him terribly. He was someone well acquainted with risk and always took great care to minimise it, to lose him this way makes no sense at all. Our hearts and minds are with the family constantly and we will pledge to keep those memories alive. RIP, dear friend.

From John Davies

My message of sympathyWhy do the best always go. My heartfelt sympathy.

From ian morgan

My message of sympathyThis is so so sad. My sympathies go out to the family and all hard-working ambulance crews and staff.

From Angie Huttlestone

My message of sympathySending love and condolences at this sad time to the family, friends and colleagues. R.I.P to a hero 💙

From Kim lewis

My message of sympathySuch a tragic loss to the family and to the healthcare. What an incredibly lovely man who did all he could to help others in there time of need. Thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues who tried so desperately to save his life. May you all get the help and support to deal with losing someone so special. You will never be forgotten and will live on in everyone's memory. #truehero #legend

From Mark Perkins

My message of sympathyThis is a terrible tragedy. My thoughts are with the family.

From Community contributor

My message of sympathyWe were so very sad to read of this tragedy. A truly terrible thing to have happened. Sending love, hugs and condolences to the family. Xx

From Wendy griffiths

My message of sympathyRest in peace, xx

From Siobhan Turney

My message of sympathyHeartfelt condolences to all who mourn the passing of this ambulance technician. Thank you for your service, you made a difference. RIP. The Turney family. x

From Natalie

My message of sympathyWhat an awful tragedy. Thoughts are with the hero’s family and friends. Absolutely heartbreaking for all involved. RIP x

From Caroline Maguire

My message of sympathyAbsolutely tragic news. My thoughts and prayers to his family. Such a nice man. Thoughts with all his work colleagues at this sad sad time.

From Charles Borman

My message of sympathyThis is very sad news to hear. This brave crew member died on duty trying to save lives.

From Community contributor

My message of sympathyI am so sorry to hear this terrible news. My heart goes out to the family and the ambulance community.

From Matthew Knill

My message of sympathySorry to hear this sad news RIP xx. Thinking of your family, work colleagues and friends. Can't imagine how they are all feeling right now.

From Community contributor

My message of sympathyShocked to hear this very sad news. Thank you for all your years of service and care. My thoughts are with your family, friends and colleagues.

From Community contributor

My message of sympathySending condolences to his family RIP x

From Terrie Gray

My message of sympathyAn absolute tragedy. No words will suffice, but thank you to all these people who go out to help others all day every day. Sincere condolences to family, work colleagues and friends.

From Graham Barnes

My message of sympathyMy thoughts are with the family at this awful time. I am deeply saddened to hear of this news.

From Alun Boobier

My message of sympathySo tragic. My thoughts are with the families at this awful time. RIP 🙏

From Community contributor

My message of sympathySending thoughts and prayers to the family. You will be sorely missed by all.

From Paul Doe

My message of sympathyRIP to the technician killed. You, like your colleagues, are all true heroes. Condolences to your family and colleagues. Such sad news.

From Tracy Mattingley

My message of sympathyThis is such a very sad and tragic loss for one of our true heroes to lose their life in this way. My thoughts are with his crew partner, those who tried to save him, his colleagues and his family. You are in my prayers.

From Gillian towers

My message of sympathyMy thoughts and prayers are with the colleagues and family. From an ex SCAS employee.

From Community contributor

My message of sympathyThank you for saving so many lives. Rest in peace.

From Lindsay Porter

My message of sympathyWhat devastating news! We are all so very proud of our ambulance staff and would like to add this insignificant tribute to the person who died. Our thoughts are with all those close to the ambulance technician who died.

From Community contributor

My message of sympathyThinking of everyone involved at this time. Sorry for your loss.

From Community contributor

My message of sympathyAs a member of the WMAS family I'm devastated by this news. My heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends and colleagues of this individual and I hope his years of creditable, caring and professional service as well as the knowledge of the lives he's been involved in saving serves as some consolation to all affected. RIP fella.

From JudyOrgee

My message of sympathyThis is such sad news. The paramedics do such wonderful caring work. Always cheerful, kind and supportive. This lovely man came out to my husband a while back with a suspected heart attack. He couldn’t have been more kind, helpful and compassionate and reassured us all would be well which of course it was in the end. Condolences to all his family, and they remain in my thoughts and prayers.

From Community contributor

My message of sympathyThis is such sad news. My thoughts with family and colleagues.

From Community contributor

My message of sympathyTruly awful. Thoughts, prayers and many hugs go to his family and friends.

From Community contributor

My message of sympathyRIP, so, so sad. Heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends.

From Pauline Holden

My message of sympathyMy heart goes out to his family and colleagues. So so sad.

From Community contributor

My message of sympathyOur thoughts and prayers are with this dear man’s family and friends. We are so very, very sorry.

From Sadie

My message of sympathyMy heart goes out to you all. I met to amazing paramedics after having chest pains. They kept me calm, they gave me hope and courage. I am so so sorry that they (paramedics) will have to deal with this tragic news

From Brian Todd

My message of sympathyI simply want to share my feelings about the magic loss of an ambulance technician in this senseless incident. We all may have our lives dependent upon ambulance technicians and this should never have happened. Please accept my condolences to the family of this unfortunate member of the ambulance service.

From Jean Watkins

My message of sympathySo sorry to hear of this loss. A hero who died doing the thing they loved.

From sue Cree

My message of sympathyMy heartfelt condolences go to the family, friends and colleagues of the technician who sadly lost their life while doing the job that we rely so heavily on.

From Dianne Tyler

My message of sympathySorry for your loss keep strong

From Janet Vincent

My message of sympathyIt is with great sadness we leave a loving tribute to a man we have known for what seems a lifetime. We are all in shock at this terrible news. Love and hugs are sent to his wife and family. R.I.P my friend x x

From Community contributor

My message of sympathythinking of u all RIP dear man ,thank u for all that u did x

From Barry Waudby

My message of sympathyOur Thoughts go out to the family and friends of a brave man that has lost his life helping others. Rip to a hero

From Paul Jackson

My message of sympathyThank you for your service, My thoughts are with your family.

From Chrissie Thompson Wormbridge

My message of sympathyMy family and I send heartfelt thoughts to the family and his crew mate... we are devastated to hear this news. After all the hard work that has gone on during this pandemic to keep us safe...how lucky are we the general public, to have such wonderful emergency services..SO so sorry.

From John Dring

My message of sympathySo sad and horrified at this loss of life after all our emergency services have been through during the pandemic. Please give my deepest sympathy to their family, who must be devastated.

From Simon Wall

My message of sympathyWe owe you our lives, and for this to happen is awful.

From Vicky O’Rourke

My message of sympathyRIP. No one should die whilst trying to save others. Love to family and friends and all colleagues.

From Michelle nelson

My message of sympathyTruly devastating news. Thoughts and prayers to all the family. RIP

From Sharon Hall

My message of sympathyThinking of family and friends at this extremely sad time. RIP xx

From Brian Smith

My message of sympathyDeepest sympathy. Our thoughts are with your family. RIP

From Nicola Griffiths

My message of sympathyI’m absolutely devastated to hear this news of a fellow colleague! My heart goes out to all family, friends and colleagues! Stand down now and rest easy we will continue to be on duty and serve as you have! From a fellow paramedic from Stoke x

From Robert Hemsley

My message of sympathyAs a retired paramedic, my thoughts are with the family and all Green colleagues at WYMAS

From Jane Hadler

My message of sympathyMy heart goes out to technician and their lose family. All emergency services are very special people and do the most amazing work. Praying for all the staff who work within the team and their sad loss.

From Nicholas Rumney

My message of sympathyMy daughter is a first response paramedic. Our hearts go out to this paramedic tech family.