11-08-2025
Woman killed when she smashed into ambulance on way to work – as parents pay emotional tribute to ‘beautiful' daughter
Travel adviser lost control of her car while on a bend
CRASH TRAGEDY Woman killed when she smashed into ambulance on way to work – as parents pay emotional tribute to 'beautiful' daughter
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A WOMAN was killed when she smashed into an ambulance on the way to work, an inquest heard.
Lauren McFarland lost control of the red Fiat Punto on a bend and spun into the path of an oncoming emergency vehicle.
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Lauren McFarland was killed in a crash with an ambulance
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The 30-year-old was tragically declared dead at the scene in the Lake District following the horror in January last year.
An inquest heard how the travel adviser had just returned from her dream holiday to the Himalayas and Everest Base Camp.
Lauren was looking forward to making the same trip later that year, Cockermouth Coroner's Court was told.
The ambulance driver, paramedic Abigail Routledge, and her colleague suffered minor injuries and immediately rushed to Lauren's aid.
There were no no patients on board and the paramedics were returning to base at the end of their shift.
The court heard Abigail had "no opportunity" to avoid the collision.
A report also found neither driver was intoxicated and Lauren was not using her phone at the time of the crash.
Dashcam footage revealed she was negotiating a left-hand bend and her car was seen positioned towards the centre line of the single carriageway A66.
Lauren made a manoeuvre back to the near side, which caused her car to rotate clockwise into the opposite carriageway and into the path of the ambulance.
The inquest heard there was some evidence air had been leaking from her tyre.
Her dad David McFarland told the inquest how his daughter had "flourished" in school before attending London Metropolitan University to gain a degree in sports therapy.
Lauren originally worked for the NHS in Pontefract and Leeds before moving back to Cumbria to pursue a career in the travel industry.
Assistant coroner for Cumbria, Margaret Taylor, said Lauren was "clearly a very talented young woman" who died as a result of multiple traumatic injuries sustained in a road traffic collision.
She added: "She should have had a long life ahead of her with many more adventures.
We have heard that there was some evidence of a leak of air from the rear offside tyre of Lauren's Fiat. What we don't know is whether this contributed to the collision or loss of control.
"It's possible it may have been lost on collision but it's a possibility that it may have affected her ability to control the car. It's probable that she died upon impact."
Paying tribute, Lauren's family said she was a "beloved" daughter and granddaughter.
They continued: "She will be sadly missed by many uncles, aunties, cousins, nieces, friends and colleagues.
"Lauren touched the hearts of everyone she met with her happy and outgoing personality.
"She was a beautiful, caring and confident person who loved the outdoors and adventure."
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Lauren was driving to work when the horror unfolded
Credit: instagram/@laurenmcf03
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She had just returned from a dream trip with her travel adviser job
Credit: SWNS
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Lauren's parents paid tribute following the tragedy
Credit: instagram/@laurenmcf03
