Ambulance chiefs lead tributes after Sunderland University student paramedic dies suddenly aged 24

Ambulance service leaders have spoken of their sadness after one of their workers who was also training to become a paramedic died at the age of 24.
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Georgia Barron in her second year of a three-year degree at the University of Sunderland and was spending time with the North East Ambulance Service’s (NEAS) emergency crews as part of her course.

In addition to her placements, she was also working as an ambulance care assistant with the service.

She died suddenly on Saturday, May 15.

A photo of Georgia Barron, 24, shared by the North East Ambulance Service as it paid tribute to her following her sudden death.A photo of Georgia Barron, 24, shared by the North East Ambulance Service as it paid tribute to her following her sudden death.
A photo of Georgia Barron, 24, shared by the North East Ambulance Service as it paid tribute to her following her sudden death.
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A spokesperson for NEAS said: “We regret to announce the death of valued friend and colleague, Georgia Barron.

"Georgia was an ambulance care assistant on our patient transport service, studying to be a paramedic.

"Whilst working with us she gained an entry level to apply for Sunderland University and with encouragement from her colleagues, she was pleased to be offered her place to study paramedic science.

"Just recently she successfully passed all of her first-year exams and began her placements with emergency care teams at NEAS.

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"Her family tell us how excited she was to begin her career as a paramedic and how she loved every day at NEAS, seeing everyone and working alongside her colleagues.

"Georgia had worked for the Trust for two years and had built a network of friendships across our service, as well as with her fellow students.

"Georgia will be greatly missed and on behalf of everyone here at NEAS, including our patients and the communities we serve, we offer our sincere condolences to the family.

"This will deeply affect many people within our service and we are supporting our staff and students during this very sad time.”

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The service shared its statement with permission from the family of Georgia, who was from Wallsend.

Mark Willis, Programme Leader for Paramedic Science and Out of Hospital Care at the university, said: "Georgia was an exceptional trainee who demonstrated everything a student paramedic should be.

"She will be a huge miss to friends, colleagues, staff and the whole of the university.

"We have passed our deepest sympathies on to her family and we are offering support to any student who needs it at this difficult time."

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