A HEALTH union offered its “solidarity and support” to the family of an ambulance driver yesterday after he was killed in a collision with another ambulance.

Unison, which represents ambulance drivers, paid tribute to John Clift, from Pwllheli, north Wales, who was pronounced dead at the scene in Gwynedd on Thursday.

Three others suffered serious injuries.

The Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust said it was “absolutely devastated” at the death of its employee.

Other emergency services tweeted their condolences, including London’s Metropolitan Special Constabulary, the West Midlands Ambulance Service and Dublin Fire Brigade.

Unison regional secretary Margaret Thomas said: “Three members of Welsh Ambulance Service staff went to work to help support patients in need yesterday and, if required, to save and preserve life.

“One, very sadly, never returned home and two others remain seriously injured in hospital.

“Unison pays tribute to all patient transport staff at Welsh Ambulance Service today as they come to terms with the loss of a member of their team.

“We pay tribute to our colleague who died, to his service and to patients in Wales. We also offer all of our solidarity and support to his family at this harrowing time.”

Police have appealed for witnesses to the incident on a stretch of the A499 in Pwllheli shortly before 3pm on Thursday.