Friends and colleagues have paid tribute to an ambulance worker who died in a car crash on New Year's Day. Ben Lightburn, 31, was killed when the car he was driving collided with another vehicle in Blind Foot Road, Rainford, St Helens, at about 10:00 GMT on 1 January.
Mr Lightburn, a paramedic with North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), was described by co-workers as a 'truly genuine, kind and ever caring soul' who showed 'immense care and compassion to all his patients'. A colleague said he was a 'loved member of our team', adding: 'He was amazing with patients and so ridiculously smart. He mentored students and supported his colleagues with a passion that was admirable.'
Mr Lightburn served in the Royal Navy before joining NWAS in 2014 as an emergency medical technician, qualifying as a paramedic in 2021. Matt Calderbank, NWAS manager, said his absence left 'an irreparable hole across the NWAS team he worked with', and described him as a 'dedicated paramedic' and a friend and mentor to many.
In a family tribute, he was remembered as a 'devoted and loving' husband, father and son. Merseyside Police confirmed that the driver and passenger of the other car were seriously hurt but are recovering from their injuries.
