Ambulance to be named after driver who died at the wheel one year ago today

An ambulance will be named in honour of a driver who suffered a fatal heart attack at the wheel of his vehicle a year ago today.

John Clift , 54, was driving a patient transport vehicle on the A499 near Pwllheli when he fell ill with his vehicle crashed into another ambulance.

Three other people, two his colleagues at the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust (WAST) suffered serious injuries in the accident.

A memorial bench will be unveiled at a ceremony at Pwllheli ambulance station today, along with the naming of an an ambulance after the 54 year old.

Mr Clift was popular in the community and had worked for Pwllheli Fire and Rescue Service for 26 years and as a patient care services driver for the NHS, based in Pwllheli, for 12 years.

Darron Dupre, ambulance lead for Unison Cymru, said: “Ambulance staff come to work every day to save life and to provide emergency care often under difficult and traumatic circumstances.

“These people to do vital jobs for our community and today we mourn John and remember seriously injured colleagues and celebrate their public service helping patients in Wales.

“We offer our solidarity and support to their families at this harrowing time.

“Today is Workers’ Memorial Day. It remembers all those workers, worldwide, who died in the line of duty, at work.

“Sadly, one WAST colleague will be forever remembered in Wales.”