TRIBUTES have been paid to a long-serving paramedic who ‘touched and saved the lives of many’.

Mair Heigh was found unresponsive at her home in Friar’s Lane, Barrow on November 1.

An inquest held at Cockermouth Coroner’s Court heard the 44-year-old had been ‘struggling’ after the end of her relationship.

Concerns for her welfare had been raised by friend and neighbour of 18 years, Cheryl Cutcliffe.

Ms Cutcliffe went round to Mair’s house on a number of occasions before her death to check on her.

On October 31, Mair asked to come round to Ms Cutcliffe’s house, however, she was at a Halloween party with her daughter.

At 12.40am that evening, Ms Cutcliffe received a message from Mair asking if she was awake and Cheryl replied in the morning asking if she was okay.

After not receiving a reply, and following a concerned message from a friend, Ms Cutcliffe rang the police who attended the property.

Emergency services discovered Mair unresponsive and sat on a chair on the kitchen table.

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Officers said there were three ‘goodbye’ notes next to her, bottles of alcohol and packets of empty medication around the room.

Paramedics pronounced Mair as dead at 4.24pm.

In a statement read out to the court, Ms Cutcliffe said: “[Mair’s] job reflected what sort of person she was. She was always kind and caring. She was a great neighbour and never really clocked off.

“She was a strong person which is why this is such a shock to me. I don’t think we realised how much Mair struggled by herself.

“I didn’t think she would harm herself.”

Mair began training to be a paramedic at the age of 24 and ‘loved’ her job in the ambulance service where she worked for 20 years.

Mair’s mum, Gaye Idle, said: “I was very close with her. I find it so unbelievable that she took her own life. I can’t believe how we missed it.”

A toxicology report found a number of substances in Mair’s system at the time of her death.

A cause of death of multiple drug toxicity was given to the court.

A much-loved mother, daughter, sister, friend and colleague, Mair was ‘clearly loved’ by all knew her, said coroner Kirsty Gomersal.

Ms Gomersal paid a personal tribute to Mair after she assisted the area coroner with an inquest a number of years ago.

“She came across calm, competent and professional. I thank her for the service she gave me and people in Cumbria as a paramedic,” said Ms Gomersal.

“The lives she touched and saved will be many.”

Ms Gomersal concluded a death of suicide.

If you need support, contact Samaritans on 116 123, Papyrus on 0800 068 41 41 or Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) on 0800 58 58 58.