A firefighter has died after collapsing on duty at Colchester Fire Station.

Mark Allen, 45, who had served with the brigade for about 20 years, was pronounced dead at the town's hospital after colleagues' efforts to revive him failed.

Station Officer Lee Neale said: "I think everyone is just in a state of shock at the moment."

He said all the staff at the station were upset by Mr Allen's death, which happened at about 7.30pm on Tuesday night.

He said it had been particularly upsetting for the officers on duty that night who discovered their colleague.

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