STAFF and medics at West Midlands Ambulance Service have been left devastated following the death of an ambulance service technician who died on duty in an incident this morning.

An ambulance crew were on route to a 999 call when an object struck the ambulance’s windscreen at 8am in Herefordshire.

Two emergency ambulance crews, paramedic officers, the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham and two Mercia Accident Rescue Service doctors attended the scene at the junction of Moreton Road and the A49 but the technician, a front seat passenger in the ambulance, died at the scene.

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service 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, described what happened as "truly awful news" and said: "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 are urging anyone who may have seen the incident or anyone who has dashcam footage to contact them on 101, quoting incident 00101i of 24 April.

A spokesman for West Mercia Police said: "Our thoughts are with the deceased’s love ones and our colleagues in West Midlands Ambulance Service at this difficult time."