The Health Secretary and colleagues of a paramedic who died after the ambulance she was in crashed into a cement lorry have described her death as an "absolute tragedy".

Alice Clark, from Newington, near Sittingbourne, was killed in the horror crash on the A21 near Sevenoaks on Wednesday night.

The 21-year-old, who had only joined the South East Coast Ambulance Service in November, was on board with a male paramedic who needed to be airlifted to hospital with serious injuries while a student paramedic suffered head injuries.

The driver of the lorry also involved in the accident suffered minor injuries.

Following her tragic death thousands of people have paid tribute to Alice, including her parents, friends and colleagues.

And that included Heath Secretary Sajid Javid who tweeted about the tragedy earlier and said his thoughts were with Alice's friends and family.

Sam Bryan, who studied with her to get her qualifications, said: "I and many others will truly truly miss Alice.

"It was a complete pleasure and privilege to study with you throughout our journey to become paramedics from university to our technical training and driving course.

"Alice was one of the most amazing paramedics and kind hearted people..."

"It was an honour to call you a friend and to spend time with you celebrating our success the end of our course and throughout our stays at college going out in our group.

"Alice was one of the most amazing paramedics and kind hearted people you could ever hope to meet. I cannot fully put into words the true loss it is."

Carl Coomber worked with Alice for three years while she was a student paramedic with the London Ambulance Service and described her death as "an absolutely tragedy".

He said: "Alice was such a beautiful person, funny but mature.

"A lovely crewmate, a great paramedic and a massive loss. An absolute tragedy, I’m gutted."

One of her colleagues at SECAmb, Emma, said: "I never had the opportunity to work with Alice. "I passed her in the crew room at the end of my shift and the start of one of her first shifts.

"I remember her being nervous yet so excited. It's evident from everything that's been said what an exceptional and well loved young lady she was.

"God bless. Stand down Alice, return to base. Your duty is done. We will take it from here. "Thoughts and prayers are with all those who knew and loved her. The green family is worse off without you."

Health Secretary Sajid Javid also paid tribute when he tweeted about the tragedy, saying: "This is incredibly sad news. My thoughts and prayers are with Alice Clark’s friends and family, and with the two people injured in the accident.

"Thank you to the brilliant ambulance staff who work tirelessly every day to keep people safe and save lives.

"She will be deeply and sadly missed..."

Last night Alice's parents paid tribute to their daughter, saying: "Alice was so excited to qualify as a paramedic and looked forward to every shift.

"She was a beautiful, kind, fun loving daughter, sister and granddaughter. She loved to travel and anyone who met her loved her.

"She will be missed more than words can say by family and friends. We would ask for privacy at this very sad and tragic time for us."

Giovanni Mazza, manager at the Paddock Wood Operating Unit where Alice was based said: “Although she had only been with us for a short time, Alice was already very much part of our ambulance family and will be remembered as a kind and dedicated paramedic.

"She will be deeply and sadly missed by her colleagues and we’re sending our love and prayers to her family and friends during this horrendous time.”

Miss Clark was a former pupil of Rainham Mark Grammar School and left in 2018 before going to the University of Greenwich to study to become a paramedic, graduating in July 2021.

Richard Ward, who says he taught Alice while she was training, said: "Rest in peace, Alice. It was a pleasure to teach you for three years at Greenwich.

"You, like all of our graduates, have made us proud. You accomplished your dream and helped many along the way."

The ambulance service's executive director of operations Emma Williams said: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague and our heart-felt sympathies go to her family, friends and colleagues at this very difficult time.

"Our thoughts are also with the other injured staff members as well as all of those who responded to the incident.

“We are supporting the police in their enquiries and would urge anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact them.”

Among those paying tribute was NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard.

She tweeted: "I'm deeply saddened to hear about our @SECAmbulance colleague who tragically died whilst on duty yesterday.

"On behalf of everyone in the NHS, our condolences go to her family, friends and colleagues, and my thoughts are also with the two colleagues injured in the accident."

Kent, Surrey and Sussex air ambulance tweeted: "We are heartbroken by this tragic incident and send our sincere condolences to the families and friends of the paramedic who very sadly lost her life and all those injured and directly involved, as well as all of our friends and colleagues at SECAmb.

"You have been and will remain in our hearts and thoughts."

Ambulance services across the country, including East Midlands, South Central and Wales, also passed on their condolences to their South East Coast colleagues.

The Kent Police Federation posted: "Incredibly sad news as the South East Coast Ambulance Service confirm the death of a paramedic involved in a collision on the A21 yesterday - our thoughts with the paramedic's family, friends and colleagues at this time."

The road was shut for several hours before reopening at around 8am.

If anyone has any information that may assist with the investigation please call 01622 798538 quoting RY/CF/03/22. You can also email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk