Paramedic found in ambulance wreckage by colleagues

The partner of a paramedic killed while racing to an emergency in north Queensland yesterday has paid tribute to a “wonderful partner and devoted family man”.

THE Queensland Ambulance Service has identified a 32-year-old paramedic who died in an accident on his way to an emergency job early yesterday.

Craig McCulloch was remembered as a "diligent" paramedic.

The QAS confirmed that the officer involved was Craig McCulloch, who has been remembered as a “diligent and professional” officer.

Commissioner Russell Bowles revealed Mr McCulloch lived on the Gold Coast, and would return to the city on his days off.

“Craig would come up and do his shifts, he does have family here in town that he would stay with, he has an auntie and uncle in town, and then he would return to his partner and young family on the Gold Coast for his days off,” Commissioner Bowles said.

Today, Mr McCulloch’s partner Heather Ball paid tribute to the man she loved.

“Craig was a loving father and a wonderful loyal partner, a devoted family man,” she told The Courier Mail.

Mr McCulloch died moments after his colleagues arrived at the scene on Mackay-Eungella Rd, west of Mackay, about 8.05am on Monday.

Paramedic killed racing to crash

The officer had been attending a critical incident when he lost control of the ambulance, which rolled several times and hit a tree.

Craig McCulloch died on his way to a job yesterday. Picture: Facebook

He was sole occupant of the vehicle.

The tragedy was described as one of the saddest days in the history of Queensland Ambulance Service by assistant commissioner Gerard Lawler.

“You would not get any worse circumstances in a day’s work than to attend a colleague in such horrific circumstances,” he said.

Mr Lawler said he could not recall a road death involving a responding paramedic in his more than 40 years of service.

The twisted wreckage of the ambulance in which a 32-year-old paramedic was killed

The young father had been working in Mackay for about six months as an advanced-care paramedic, Mr Lawler said.

He had about 10 years’ experience, including outside of Queensland.

Dozens of paramedics yesterday left their own tributes on social media for him.

One wrote: “While I was working with him two thing were always clear; if anything happened he had my back, and above all else he loved his kids and would do absolutely anything to give them the best life possible.”

Mr Lawler said he cared deeply about the communities he served.

Paramedic union United Voice said it was not appropriate to comment on the incident but offered its support to its members.

“Our thoughts are with everyone who is impacted by this tragedy, including family, friends, and the first responders who attended,” Queensland secretary Gary Bullock said.

“We will await the outcomes of the investigation to determine if any further action is needed.”

Queensland Police Service is also investigating.

The scene of yesterday’s tragedy in which a 32-year-old paramedic died

Originally published as Paramedic found in ambulance wreckage by colleagues