TRIBUTES have been paid to a long-serving paramedic who died after he was involved in a collision while cycling.
Alan Mort, 63, suffered serious injuries in the crash on the A548 near Flint on Sunday and died later in hospital.
Mr Mort worked for the Welsh Ambulance Service for about 30 years and was based at Mold Ambulance Station for most of his career.
Former colleagues have described the father-of-two as a “role model”.
Arwel Roberts, 58, from Greenfield, worked with Mr Mort for many years and said he would be greatly missed.
He said: “I know people always say this but Morty genuinely was a lovely chap and a really nice guy.
“I was very upset when my wife told me had died. He was a good friend and an excellent paramedic.
“When I started out in the early 1980s he was a leading ambulanceman and I worked with him on and off throughout my working life.”
Mr Roberts said Mr Mort had two children – Katherine and Christopher – and lived in Bannel Lane, Buckley, for many years.
He moved to the Kinmel Bay area, near Rhyl, about eight years ago.
Mr Roberts said: “He was a doting father and was very close to his children.
“Our families were very friendly and we would go out together for meals or visit each other’s homes.
“Alan was very good at his job and worked at Holywell Ambulance Station before retiring about 18 months ago.
“He was very popular with his colleagues and had a great sense of humour.”
Mr Roberts said Mr Mort was a keen cyclist who enjoyed keeping fit and enjoyed extreme sports like mountain climbing and kite surfing.
He said: “I remember once Alan came in sweating and I asked him what on earth he had been up to.
“He told me he had been on a bike ride to Ruthin and up the Horseshoe Pass. He was very fit.”
A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We are shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Alan and our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.
“Alan was greatly respected not just by his former colleagues in Flintshire, but by staff across North Wales.
“He was a kind and gentle man who brought great compassion and care to the patients he treated during his time in the ambulance service.
“He was a role model to many of our current staff and will be sadly missed by all. “
Mr Mort was in a collision with a Land Rover shortly before 12.40pm near Manor Industrial Estate. He was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The A548 was shut in both directions between Aber Road and Station Road following the crash.
North Wales Police have arrested a 44-year-old man, the driver of the vehicle involved, and he has been released on bail pending further inquiries
North East Wales coroner John Gittins has been informed of the death and a post-mortem examination is due to be carried out today.
Anybody who witnessed the collision is asked to call PC Aled Jackson on 101