WEST Midlands Ambulance Service bid a fond farewell to late technician Jeremy ‘Jack’ Daw yesterday.

Mr Daw, an ambulance technician who had come out of retirement to help during the Covid-19 pandemic, died when the windscreen of the vehicle he was travelling in was hit by a stone while responding to a 999 call in Herefordshire on April 24. He was 66 years old.

An ambulance service statement read: “We joined family and friends to pay our respects and say a final farewell to Hereford technician Jeremy 'Jack' Daw today.

“Jack, who had almost 30 years of service, has helped many thousands of people during his career and was a well-respected and much loved member of our West Midlands Ambulance Service family.

“It was truly humbling to see so many members of the community gather on the streets to pay their respects to our fallen colleague, as the funeral cortège made the journey from his home, stopping briefly at Hereford Ambulance Hub before arriving at Hereford Crematorium. Rest in peace, Jack.”

In the comments on Facebook, members of the public also paid tribute.

Janet Price referred to “a fitting tribute”, while Marie Robinson said: “RIP Jack. Thinking of your family, friends and colleagues. Thank you.”

The crew had been en route to a 999 call in Herefordshire when an object hit the windscreen of their vehicle at the junction of Moreton Road and the A49.

Multiple vehicles attended the scene, with two emergency crews, paramedic officers, the Midlands Air Ambulance and two Accident Rescue Service doctors.

NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said: “Jeremy – known by his colleagues as Jack – represented the best of the NHS.

"After almost three decades’ service, he returned to the frontline from a well-earned retirement to help patients during the coronavirus pandemic and served as a mentor to younger colleagues.“On behalf of everyone across the NHS, our heartfelt condolences go to Jeremy’s family, friends and colleagues.”