Woman, 30, killed in crash with ambulance after returning home from dream holiday

A woman was killed when her car was involved in a crash with an ambulance as she returned home to the UK from a dream holiday in the Himalayan mountains. Lauren McFarland, 30, had just come back from her trip to Nepal where she had reached Everest base camp. She died after the collision between her Fiat Punto and the NHS[1] ambulance east of Keswick, Cumbria, on the A66 at Burns Farm on Thursday morning.

Another ambulance was called and Lauren was treated at the scene but could not be saved, while the paramedics involved in the crash escaped serious injury. Lauren's family described her as a "beautiful, caring and confident person" in a statement issued by Cumbria Police. The statement went on: "She was the daughter of David and Paula and granddaughter of Cynthia, Billy and Helen.

She will be sadly missed by many uncles, aunties, cousins, nieces, friends and colleagues.

"Lauren touched the hearts of everyone she met with her happy and outgoing personality. She was a beautiful, caring and confident person who loved the outdoors and adventure. She had a new job she loved and had just returned from her dream adventure to the Himalayas and Everest Base Camp.

She had recently moved into a new flat in a place she loved. She was, at last, in a happy place and was looking forward to a full and exciting future." Gene Quinn of North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), described the incident as "tragic", adding: "Immediate emergency care was given to the female driver of the car by the crew involved.

This was quickly supported by another ambulance crew, an emergency doctor, a critical care helicopter crew and two operational commanders." Mr Quinn said: "This is a heartbreaking incident, and our sincere condolences go out to the patient's family and friends and all those involved." NWAS said it was supporting the police with the investigation. The ambulance had no patients and was not using blue lights during the crash.

The road was reopened after around 12 hours, at around 8.30pm. Police have asked anyone with information relating to this incident or any dashcam footage to contact them. In a separate incident the Mirror reported last month how two people were killed after a car collided with an ambulance as it was transporting an elderly patient.

The tragedy happened at around 7.30pm on December 19. Emergency services were called to the incident on the B1506 Bury Road between Newmarket and Kentford. The driver, a woman in her 70s, was the sole occupant of the blue Volkswagen Golf car.

A man and woman were passengers in the ambulance alongside a female driver. The male passenger, as well as the Golf's. The other ambulance passenger suffered minor injuries.. uffolk Police confirmed the Golf's driver died after the crash.

The male ambulance passenger, who was in his 90s also died after the incident.

References

1. ^ NHS (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^ 'Miracle' cream stopped my hands feeling sore as the weather turns freezing (www.mirror.co.uk)