A PATIENT was airlifted to hospital on Monday after suffering a heart attack.

Initial reports suggested the patient, who has not been identified, had been injured in a fall - but the North East Ambulance Service confirmed the person suffered a heart attack.

The ambulance service was called to Essity's Prudhoe Mill factory, where the patient was receiving CPR.

The patient was reported to be a contractor working on the site who felt faint and sat down before collapsing.

Mill staff and first aiders rushed to help until paramedics arrived.

A spokeswoman for NEAS said: "We were called at 3.18pm to a patient in cardiac arrest at Essity Mill on Princess Way in Prudhoe.

"CPR was in progress while the crew were travelling.

"We dispatched two double-crewed ambulances and a specialist paramedic, and requested support from the Great North Air Ambulance.

"The patient was transported by air to the RVI in Newcastle with two paramedics onboard."