Covid-19 death of paramedic ‘very tragic’
CONDOLENCES POORED in this week for a senior Calderdale paramedic who died from coronavirus.
Mark Stanley, 57, died in Calderdale Royal Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit last Thursday after battling the deadly virus for over a week.
Mr Stanley, who was described by friends as being a ‘fitness fanatic’, worked at Halifax Ambulance Station, but it has been confirmed by his family he sadly lost his life to Covid-19.
Spokesperson for his family and personal friend, Mark Rattigan said: “I’ve known Mark for 32 years working with him in the health sector.
“He was the most diligent people I’ve ever met and he was extremely intelligent.
“He worked tirelessly and was 100 per cent dedicated to his wife Jacqueline and his two children.
“The ambulance community in Halifax, Brighouse, Wakefield, and Todmorden have been rocked hard by his death.
Mr Rattigan said crews gathered on April 30, keeping within government social-distancing rules, as Amazing Grace filled the air at Halifax Ambulance Station, on North Parade, at around 8pm.
Following the Thursday evening ‘Clap for the NHS’, bagpipes played to honour emergency workers who have lost their lives to Covid-19, including specialist paramedic Mr Stanley, who lived in Sowerby Bridge.
Mr Rattigan said the evening was ‘very moving’.
Duncan Beattie, who trained with Mr Stanley for five years in Wakefield as a paramedic, said: “I’m in shock because I know Mark was fit as a fiddle and now suddenly he’s gone. He leaves a legacy of training hundreds of paramedics across West Yorkshire, who are saving lives daily.”
Yorkshire Ambulance Services’ Chief Executive Rod Barnes said: “Many people within the Trust are affected by this very tragic news and we’re supporting staff at this very difficult time. We’d like to offer our deepest sympathies.”
I’m in shock because I know Mark was fit as a fiddle and now he’s suddenly gone.
ONLINE: For more on this, visit: www.halifaxcourier.co.uk