Mystery surrounds death of young paramedic, 23, who collapsed in a bathroom on the first day of his new job at an ambulance station
- Liam Harpur, 23, was suddenly found unresponsive in a bathroom on Monday
- St John Ambulance NZ said the cause of his death was due to a ‘medical event’
- His devastated father said his son ‘knew how to put a smile on someone’s face’
A young paramedic has been found dead in a bathroom just hours after starting a new job doing office work at an ambulance station.
Liam Harpur, 23, worked as an emergency medical assistant for St John Ambulance in Rotorua, New Zealand.
He was called to fill in for a manager on leave at a nearby branch, but was tragically found unresponsive in the work bathroom on Monday.
A spokeswoman from St John Ambulance NZ told Daily Mail Australia his cause of death was due to a ‘medical event’.
His devastated father, Garry Harpur, paid tribute to his son, who he said was ‘good as gold’ and ‘knew how to put a smile on someone’s face’.
Liam Harpur (pictured), 23, who worked as an emergency medical assistant for St John Ambulance, was found unresponsive at the Whakatane branch on Monday
A spokeswoman from St John Ambulance NZ told Daily Mail Australia his cause of death was due to a ‘medical event’
‘It’s all wrong, he’s supposed to be standing over me, not the other way around,’ Mr Harpur told the NZ Herald.
‘Its just left a big hole in our hearts. I suppose time heals all wounds, but this is going to take a long time.’
Liam, who is from Rotorua, was covering for a manager on leave and was only meant to be in Whakatane for a week and a half.
Police attended the scene, where Liam was found dead in his uniform.
St John central-east district operations manager Jeremy Gooders told the publication Liam’s death was a ‘tragic loss’ and that ‘he will be greatly missed’.
Mr Harpur said his son had volunteered at St John for 12 hours once a week, before he had begun working as a full-time paramedic.
He was awarded a three-year service medal this year and will be laid to rest at 11am on Saturday.
His devastated father, Garry Harpur (pictured right with Liam and his mum Mary), paid tribute to his son who he said was ‘good as gold’ and ‘knew how to put a smile on someone’s face’
Mr Harpur said his son had volunteered at St John for 12 hours once a week, before he had begun working as a full-time paramedic