The London Ambulance Service (LAS) has paid tribute to Paramedic Ben Woodhart after he passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Tuesday night, aged just 48.
A spokesperson for the LAS said:
“It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our friend and colleague Ben Woodhart, who has died suddenly and unexpectedly.
“Ben was taken unwell on Tuesday night (5 May) before sadly passing away. He was 48.
“Ben joined the London Ambulance Service in August 1999 and served more than 20 years.
“We will remember Ben’s passion for the work of London Ambulance Service.
“He was a hugely respected and enthusiastic member of the LAS family whether supporting the union, or playing an instrumental part establishing our staff Facebook forum.
“He will be greatly missed”.
Back in November 2014, Ben was commended for his response when helping victims of the Wraysbury floods.
When the father-of-three saw the impact of the flooding in his home village of Wraysbury, he and other residents took action that was described as being ‘above and beyond’.
Ben received a Chief Executive commendation after being put forward by colleagues from South Central Ambulance Service.
At the time, London Ambulance Service Chief Executive Ann Radmore said:
“This award is for exceptional people who have gone above and beyond what is normally expected of them, and are a real credit to our Service and to Londoners.”
Ben was active on Twitter and had tweeted about treatments for COVID-19 just hours before falling ill.
The LAS has not released the circumstances of tragic Ben’s death.
Ben’s friends and colleagues paid tribute to him on Twitter.
Sarah Catchpole said:
“I am so so sad; one of the first people I knew in the profession. Such a great guy”.
Samuel Imber added:
“I honestly didn’t believe it when I heard this. I’m truly gutted. What an absolute legend of a bloke”.
A Unison (London Ambulance Branch) spokesperson said:
“Paramedic, Clinical Researcher, Mentor and former UNISON Rep, Ben was always so positive and passionate about the service and the job.
“His enthusiasm couldn’t help but rub off onto the rest of us.
“Based at Isleworth, Feltham, Twickenham, Pocock Street, and New Malden, Ben touched so many lives.
“He set excellent standards wherever he went, from the calm and rational thinking when supporting staff as a UNISON Rep to the celebrated ‘nationally adopted’ info-graphics he created and the many students he mentored and who are now enjoying wonderful careers in the LAS.
“His kindness, his team spirit and his desire to help all those around him will continue to inspire us all.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and many colleagues across the service who loved him dearly”.
