THE families of two men who died after an ambulance crashed into their car say they do not agree with the outcome of the investigation into their deaths.

Jason Allen, aged 49, and Andrew Ralph, 61, both died at the scene on the A49 Pengethley, near Ross-on-Wye, after a 1930 Ford Model A coupe vintage car they were travelling in was involved in a crash with an ambulance driven by Kevin Lilwall on August 25, 2019.

Mr Allen and Mr Ralph, who were from Ross and Malvern respectively, were close friends who worked together at haulage firm ABE in Ledbury. 

OTHER NEWS:

On Wednesday (June 28), an inquest heard that Mr Lilwall had worked 26 hours over the course of two days prior to the crash, with him starting his second shift just 10 hours after clocking off the day before.

The Government states that workers have a right to 11 hours rest between working days, something West Midlands Ambulance (WMAS) now enforces among its employees.

The inquest heard that Mr Lilwall ended up working a 14-hour shift over the night of August 23 and 24 due to him being called to a paedatric cardiac arrest involving a five-month-old baby.

Sadly, the baby died. Giving evidence at the inquest, Mr Lilwall said that, despite having a nightmare the following morning after going to bed, he felt fine to work the next day.

However, tragedy hit when he was driving back to the ambulance hub in Ross after finishing another night shift.

Shortly before 6.20am on August 25, the ambulance veered across the carriageway and into the path of the Ford Model A coupe (pictured below) being driven by Mr Allen.

Malvern Gazette:

Mr Lilwall told the inquest that he was distracted by a face of a baby as the ambulance approached Pengethley, resulting in him 'having a weird feeling of coldness that was like a fear'. 

The now retired paramedic, who worked at West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) for 30 years, was initially investigated for causing death by dangerous driving before the Crown Prosecution Service dropped proceedings last October. 

"It has been hell since 2019," said Jeremy Allen, the brother of Jason Allen.

"None of us agree with the conclusion they have come to as it does not really lay it to rest for us.

"The lack of remorse was terrible. The first time we have had condolences from the ambulance service was today [at the inquest].

ALSO READ:

"You have to move forward, and keep going. They would want us to do that.

"I think paramedics have a very difficult job, but you expect them to have a decent amount of remorse when something like this happens.

"They [Mr Allen and Mr Ralph] were professional drivers, and would not hurt a flea. We were very close and did a lot together.

"Andrew was a good friend of Jason’s and a good laugh and used to do a lot with him, He was good fun.

"They were in a 1931 Ford Model A driving to Shrewsbury that day. They were HGV driver and both were big vintage enthusiasts, mostly for commercial vehicles and tractors."

Julie Hawkins, the daughter of Andrew Ralph, added: "They were both very well liked people, they were always up for a laugh.

"My dad was very much a family man. He was the heart of our family. He was married to my mum for 39 years and it has been very traumatic for everyone."

In a statement, Jason Wiles, lead investigator at WMAS, said: "On behalf of the Trust, I would like to offer my condolences to the families of Jason Allen and Andrew Ralph who tragically lost their lives in a collision with an ambulance in 2019.

"Unfortunately, due to the legalities of the case, the Trust was not able to engage in the way we would normally do as part of our Duty of Candour, though I was able to speak to them at the inquest.

"However, I accept that we could and should have spoken to them sooner, once the criminal case was dropped."