The NSW Ambulance service has paid tribute to ambulance officer Dearne Fulcher.
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The paramedic was killed in Katoomba on Thursday night after a tree fell on a car in Victoria Street.
She is remembered for her strength of character, which saw her receive the Bronze Bravery Medal for her actions in treating patients during fires at Medlow Bath in 2002.
The driver of the Volvo sedan was trapped in the car and later freed by emergency services. He remains in a serious condition in Westmead Hospital.
A police media spokesman said officers were called to the North Katoomba street about 7pm last night where they found the car under a large fallen tree.
Officers located two occupants inside the car. The passenger suffered fatal injuries, while the male driver aged in his 20s was trapped.
The driver was freed after a rescue operation involving Police Rescue, Fire & Rescue NSW and NSW Ambulance paramedics. He sustained head and chest injuries and was airlifted to Westmead in a serious condition.
"Dearne was a senior paramedic and clinician for more than 25 years, and was a shining light in her community and her profession," NSW Ambulance said in a statement on its Facebook page.
"Dearne started with NSW Ambulance in April 1994, and worked her way up to the role of Intensive Care Paramedic operating out of Penrith Super Station.
"Always an extraordinary paramedic, Dearne displayed an enormous passion for delivering first-rate care to every single patient she encountered. Her strength of character was unrivalled.
"In 2002, Dearne was awarded a Bronze Bravery Medal for her actions in treating patients following a devastating series of fires at Medlow Bath.
"Today, NSW Ambulance has lost one of its family."
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