Tributes have been paid to an ambulance care assistant who died suddenly at the age of 24.
Georgia Barron was studying to be a paramedic - a career her heartbroken family say she was "excited" to begin with the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS).
But, tragically, the "valued friend and colleague" lost her life suddenly on Saturday, May 15.
Georgia, from Wallsend, was an ambulance care assistant with the patient transport service and had worked for the trust for two years.
She gained an entry level to apply for Sunderland University and, with encouragement from her colleagues, she was offered a place to study paramedic science.
Georgia had recently passed all of her first-year exams and began her placements with the emergency care teams at NEAS.
Her devastated family have said she loved every day working at the ambulance service, seeing everyone and working alongside her colleagues.
NEAS has said Georgia had built a network of friendships and will be "greatly missed" by staff, students and patients alike.
A spokeswoman 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.
"Her family tell us how excited she was to begin her career as a paramedic and how she loved every day at NEAS.
"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."
Mark Willis, programme leader for Paramedic Science and Out of Hospital Care at the University of Sunderland, 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."
