A COUNTY Durham company has paid tribute to a “talented” worker after confirming that one of its staff members died outside its head office building at the start of this week.

The worker, who has been named as Alex Leith, collapsed in Newton Aycliffe, at around 2.30pm on Monday (March 1) after becoming unwell.

He had been near the entrance of Dragons' Den star Sara Davies' company, Crafter’s Companion at Aycliffe Business Park on Horndale Avenue.

Whilst on the floor, Mr Leith was assisted by several colleagues who attempted CPR while the emergency services responded to the incident.

Read more: Darlington woman struggling to make ends meet slams MP's pay rise

Officers from Durham Police and paramedics from the North East Ambulance Service rushed to the scene to help treat the patient, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A spokesperson for North East Ambulance Service said: “We were called to Aycliffe Business Park on Tuesday, March 1 at 2.28pm to a patient who had collapsed outside of the buildings.

"We dispatched a double crewed ambulance and a specialist paramedic to the scene.”

A spokesperson from Durham Constabulary added: “Police were called at 2.35pm on Tuesday (March 1) by the ambulance service after a man collapsed on Horndale Avenue, in Newton Aycliffe.

Read more: Darlington's North Road railway bridge to close for £16k revamp

“Paramedics carried out emergency CPR on the man, but tragically he passed away at the scene. 

“There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.”

Following the emergency services confirming the death of Mr Leith, who was in the management system at Crafter’s Companion, the CEO of the company, Simon Davies, has paid tribute to the staff member and sent best wishes to his family.

He said: "Alex Leith was a talented ecommerce and digital strategist who had recently joined the business as our general manager – global D2C and consumer strategy. On March 1, Alex was outside of our head office building when he became unwell.

"Despite the best efforts of our colleagues, who performed CPR until ambulances arrived, and the emergency services, Alex was unable to be resuscitated.

"Our thoughts are with Alex’s family, friends and our colleagues during this difficult time."

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054