Paramedic Convicted in Fatal Ambulance Crash Cleared to Resume Profession
A paramedic who was jailed and suspended from practice after a driving accident resulted in the death of his young colleague will be allowed to return to work. Edward Riding was convicted of causing the death of 21-year-old Alice Clark in a tragic incident near Tonbridge on January 5, 2022. The fatal crash occurred when Riding mistakenly identified a layby on the A21 as a turn-off, leading to catastrophic consequences.
Details of the Tragic Accident and Legal Proceedings
The ambulance, driven by Riding, partially mounted the kerb before colliding with a parked lorry and subsequently plunging into the back of a stationary cement truck. Alice Clark, who hailed from Newington near Sittingbourne, had completed her paramedic training merely two months prior to the accident. Tragically, she died at the scene, leaving behind a devastated family and community.
In April 2024, Riding, an employee of the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb), received a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was disqualified from driving for 15 months. Additionally, the Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service (HCPTS) imposed a 12-month suspension in January of the previous year, effectively barring him from working as a paramedic during that period.
Regulatory Review and Decision to Lift Suspension
The HCPTS panel initially determined that a suspension period would suffice to "protect the public" and uphold "a proper degree of confidence" in the paramedic profession. They cited Riding's demonstrated remediation and remorse, alongside a low risk of repetition, as key factors in their decision. A subsequent review hearing on January 29 concluded that the suspension could conclude upon its expiration on February 18.
During the hearing, Ms Agbitor, representing Riding from Crowborough, conveyed that he would never recover from the accident and acknowledged that others affected would similarly struggle to move forward. She informed the panel that Riding had maintained his professional skills but expressed uncertainty about returning to ambulance driving due to both physical and emotional reasons.
Panel's Assessment and Additional Incident Details
In rendering its decision, the panel recognized the "utmost seriousness" of the circumstances leading to Riding's conviction. However, they also considered his evident insight and genuine remorse, concluding that the risk of recurrence was minimal. The panel determined that a finding of impairment was unnecessary for public protection and allowed the existing suspension order to lapse upon its expiry.
The accident also involved a second paramedic, Megan Kuhn, who was in the rear of the ambulance and sustained head injuries but has since fully recovered. The driver of the cement lorry suffered minor injuries as well. Riding, an Australian national, was seriously injured in the crash, requiring airlifting to hospital for treatment of rib fractures, a dislocated left hip, a closed tibia fracture, and kneecap fractures.
Family Tributes and Coroner's Criticism
In January, Alice Clark's parents, Gill and Graeme Clark from Newington, were awarded the Elizabeth Emblem by the King, an honour recognizing public servants who die in the line of duty. Alice had attended the University of Greenwich, graduating in July 2021 after studying to become a paramedic.
Her parents poignantly remembered her, stating: "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 and anyone who met her loved her. She will be missed more than words can say by family and friends."
At the inquest, coroner Roger Hatch criticized SECAmb for lacking adequate procedures to monitor staff driving standards and issued a Prevention of Future Deaths Report. Hatch suggested that if the ambulance trust had acted on prior complaints about Riding's driving, Alice Clark's death might have been averted. SECAmb has asserted that it has since enhanced its procedures and implemented new safety checks in response to the tragedy.
