‘Devastating’: Paramedic killed on way to job in Forrestdale, WA

The family of a paramedic who died when his vehicle crashed on the way to an emergency call have released a statement honouring him.

A paramedic, killed when his specialist vehicle crashed on the way to attend an emergency call in Perth’s south, has been identified.

St John Ambulance paramedic Tinesh Tamilkodi, 38, died when his ambulance crashed at the intersection of Armadale and Anstey Roads in Forrestdale about 1.30am Tuesday.

The paramedic killed in a crash in Forrestfield early on Tuesday morning has been identified as 38-year-old Tinesh Tamilkodi. Picture: St John Ambulance WA

“Our son and brother Tinesh always dreamed of being a paramedic and helping those who needed it most. He reached 10 years in his dream job earlier this year,” the statement read.

“There are no words to express our sadness. Please hold your loved ones close in his memory today.

“We do ask for privacy and for space to grieve as we unite our family to pay respects to Tinesh.”

St John WA group chief executive Kevin Brown told media Mr Tamikodi was “a loyal servant to the community.”

“I have spent some time with Tinesh on the road and I can’t speak more highly and nor can his colleagues of his professionalism,” Mr Brown said.

Mr Tamilkodi was the only occupant of the vehicle.

It is with a heavy heart we share news of the passing of a team member who died in the early hours of this morning when responding to a priority emergency call.
This is devastating.
We are with the family of our paramedic colleague and offering them every support. pic.twitter.com/4icCE2Cij0

— St John WA (@stjohn_wa) November 14, 2023

“He’s a caring individual and someone who just loved doing their job and serving their community.

“It’s a great loss to St John and a great loss to the broader community.”

Vision from the crash shows the front and driver’s side of the car heavily damaged, with one of the front wheels lying metres ahead on the road.

Mr Tamikodi is the first ever WA paramedic to die in the line of duty.

His family released a statement later on Tuesday, in which they described him as “a dedicated servant who saved lives every day he went to work.”

A paramedic has died on the way to an emergency job. Credit: 7 News

The NSW SES Gilgandra unit shared a tribute to the victim on social media, saying: “Sadly, being an emergency responder comes with a degree of ever present risk.

“Our thoughts are with our responder colleagues in Western Australia.”

WA Police are still investigating the scene and appealed for any witnesses to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report information online.