Welsh Ambulance Service Colleagues Lost in Line of Duty Honoured on International Workers’ Memorial Day
The Welsh Ambulance Service has paid a moving tribute to two of its colleagues lost in the line of duty.
Services for John Clift, of the Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service based in Pwllheli, and Phil Williams, an Emergency Medical Technician based in Welshpool, were held on Friday 28th April to coincide with Workers’ Memorial Day, an international day of remembrance for those who have lost their lives at work.
John, who was 54, died following a road traffic collision involving two ambulances on the A499 in Pwllheli one year ago today, while Phil, who was 58, died suddenly while on duty in February of last year.
Family, friends and co-workers of the pair gathered last week to dedicate ambulance vehicles in their honour.
Richard Lee, the Trust’s Director of Operations, said: “Between them, John and Phil helped hundreds if not thousands of people, many of whom would not be walking around Wales today if it wasn’t for their skill and commitment.
“Dedicating a vehicle in their honour will not bring our friends back, but it will hopefully act as a symbol of just how highly regarded they were and how much we cherish their memory.
“We might be one year on, but the shock and sorrow around John and Phil’s death is still very much felt today.
“We miss our colleagues dearly, and our thoughts remain with John and Phil’s family at this difficult time.”
Father-of-two John had worked as a firefighter in Pwllheli for 26 years before he joined the Welsh Ambulance Service’s Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service, a role he held for 12 years.
Following his death, his colleagues commissioned a bench in his memory, which also had its grand unveiling on Friday.
The bench was paid for by funds raised by John’s colleagues supported by donations from UNISON and Unite the Union, and built by a client who attends Occupational Therapy Rehabilitation Workshops at Llanfairfechan’s Bryn y Neuadd Hospital.
Unite’s Branch Secretary Bleddyn Roberts, a Paramedic based in Pwllheli, said: “A year ago, our ambulance service was in great shock, as were John’s family and friends and all those in the community who knew him.
“The bench and vehicle dedicated to John will help us all remember him and remember the work he did and the manner in which he did it.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank those who made today’s get together possible, especially our Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service staff whose idea and efforts brought us the bench to commemorate John.”
Phil Williams had worked for the ambulance service for more than 30 years and lived in Llanfechain with his partner.
He died suddenly while out on duty on February 23, 2016.
David Watkins, the Trust’s Locality Manager for North Powys, said: “Phil is sorely missed by all of his colleagues in Welshpool and beyond.
“He was a true ‘petrol head’ who loved motorbikes, cars and campervans, so we think he’d be both proud and amused in equal amounts that we’d named a vehicle in his honour.”
Among those who attended today’s ceremonies were John’s partner Hilary and son Matthew, and Phil’s mother Daisy and partner Meinir.
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