Tributes to driver killed in ambulance crash

Tributes have been paid to an ambulance driver killed in a crash with another ambulance in North Wales.

John Clift, 54, was described as a "born and bred Pwllheli lad" who had a long career as a firefighter before joining the ambulance service.

Today his family issued this statement:

The Welsh Ambulance Service described John as a "reliable and trustworthy" person, who was "truly one of the team".

Colleagues recalled his dry sense of humour and said he was always in good spirits.

Yesterday they released a longer statement saying they were "devastated" to learn of the fatal crash.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said John had been a firefighter for 26 years at Pwllheli Fire Station and also worked as a community safety practitioner.

Chief Fire Officer Simon Smith said: "Today our thoughts are with his family and our colleagues at the Welsh Ambulance NHS Trust following the road traffic collision.

"As a fire and rescue service dealing with road traffic accidents is always difficult and even more so when a colleague or someone you know is involved.”

Police are still appealing for witnesses to the crash, which happened on the A499 at Y Ffôr, Pwllheli, just before 3pm yesterday afternoon.

Anybody with information is asked to contact officers at the Roads Policing Unit on 101, quoting reference number U060780.