Tributes have been paid to HART paramedic Liam Waring, who has sadly passed away less than four weeks after becoming a father.
Liam was at home earlier this month (July) when he suffered a traumatic cardiac arrest. He was on paternity leave at the time.
Liam’s career in the ambulance service began in 2008 when he joined East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) as an Ambulance Care Assistant, working out of Carlton Ambulance Station.
Later that year he moved to Gorse Hill in Leicestershire and worked as an Emergency Care Assistant.
He began his training to become a Paramedic working out of Melton Mowbray and received his State Registration in 2012.
In 2013, Liam took on a secondment role as a Team Leader in North Nottinghamshire, which became a permanent role the following year.
Liam joined EMAS’s Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) in March 2017, having completed additional training to support his response with the team to major and hazardous incidents across the East Midlands.
In 2018, he was able to fulfil a long-held dream of becoming part of the aircrew of the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance (LNAA) on a short-term secondment before returning to HART.
Liam was working a night shift on the evening of the Manchester Arena attack on the 22 May 2017 and was part of the mutual aid support sent to North West Ambulance Service HART during their response.
Liam’s family have paid tribute to him:
‘“As a family we are deeply saddened at the tragic loss of Liam, beloved husband, father, son, brother and uncle.
“Liam was the kindest, most generous, and he would like to think, funniest person you could hope to come across. His friends often described him as a gentle giant; he cared deeply about those that meant the most to him and loved to make people laugh. Liam was very rarely found without a smile on his face, even in the most serious of circumstances.
“Those that knew Liam would know that he was passionate about his role as a paramedic, leaving a role as an aircraft engineer in 2008 to become an Ambulance Care Assistant in pursuit of his dream to work as part of the Air Ambulance crew. Liam qualified as a Paramedic in 2012.
“Following various roles within EMAS, Liam achieved his goal of working as part of the Air Ambulance team in 2018. The smile on his face when he got that role was dazzling.
“Liam was also dedicated to Royal Air Force Air Cadets, having started as a cadet himself at age 12, he progressed to the rank of Flight Lieutenant, commanding his own squadrons at Melton Mowbray, West Bridgford and Newton.
“Words cannot express the devastation we feel as family right now but we are incredibly proud of the man that Liam became. He was and always will be our hero and we will love him unconditionally until the end of time.
“The whole family would like to extend our thanks to the amazing staff at EMAS and HEMS who attended Liam and fought so hard to save him.
“Per Ardua Ad Astra.”
Richard Henderson, EMAS Chief Executive said:
“Losing Liam in such tragic circumstances is incredibly difficult for our colleagues to hear. From the messages I have received following the very sad news, it is clear that Liam was a fantastic, genuine person, who loved his family, his outdoor pursuits, his role as a paramedic, and his work with the RAF cadets.
“My thoughts and condolences are with Liam’s family and friends, and his colleagues across the service – he will truly be missed.”
Sid Murphy, EMAS Hazardous Area Response Team Manager said:
“Liam was a popular member of the unit, and was renowned not only for his humour, but also his dedication to providing the best level of care to his patients. He was compassionate and always there to support his colleagues if they were struggling or feeling low. He was an active member of the RAF Air Cadets, holding the rank of Flight Lieutenant at 209 Squadron West Bridgford.
“We are absolutely devastated by this news, and our hearts go out to Jade and their daughter, Liam’s family and the friends and neighbours that came to his aid.
“Thanks to those from Leicestershire Police, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue and LIVES, together with EMAS colleagues who responded on the night and worked so hard to save him with such compassion and professionalism.
“I would also like to say a very special thank you on behalf of Liam’s family and myself to those in attendance that knew Liam personally including members of HART and Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance, and LIVES.”
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