Dad, 32, died suddenly at work after laughing with colleagues

Hundreds of tributes have poured in for a father who tragically passed away at the age of 32. Ste Snell died unexpectedly after collapsing at his workplace earlier this month.

Described as a "brilliant" father, Ste exhibited no signs of ill health, leaving his loved ones in complete disbelief. In an effort to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest, Ste's family has decided to share his story.

The dad-of-two from Liverpool was reportedly joking with a colleague just before he collapsed. Ste's best friend, James Jones, expressed his shock to the Echo, saying: "There's no words because it's that much of a shock. He went to work on Sunday and just didn't come home. We can't believe it."

After his collapse on March 2, Ste's coworkers administered CPR, and he was subsequently airlifted to a hospital. James revealed that Ste had to undergo cardioversion 17 times as his heart "wouldn't beat any longer than 40 seconds."

He was placed into a medically induced coma. Tragically, when Ste's organs began to fail, his family faced the heartbreaking decision to switch off his life support machine.

James's wife, Jessica, reflected on Ste's health: "He was perfectly fit and healthy. He wasn't overweight, he didn't drink. He'd go the gym a couple of nights a week and he'd take his kids swimming. The Sunday morning he was in work, all the lads in the factory ordered sausage and bacon butties and he was eating a protein yoghurt. That's how healthy he was."

Jessica fondly remembers Ste as "the best dad in the world" noting: "He did everything for Michelle and his two kids. Michelle and his kids were his entire world. He doted on them, he was the best dad. He was the best brother and he adored his mum. He was a fantastic partner, a brilliant friend and a massive Liverpool fan. He's so missed by everyone."

James shared his sentiment, adding: "He's infectious, Ste. Even if it's a two-minute conversation, I don't think he's ever not made me laugh, ever. He was just the funniest person you could ever come across. He'd do anything for you. I can't express how nice of a person he was. The world's just a worse place without him."

In response to Ste's tragic death, numerous Echo readers offered their condolences, expressing their heartfelt tributes to Ste while extending messages of support to his family. One reader, Lesley Carroll, commented: "Our lovely Ste will never be forgotten and we will all look after Michelle, James and Ada and you will always be in our heart."

Ste's mother Jackie Snell left a simple yet emotional message: "My beautiful boy."

Amidst the grief, Ste's family aims to highlight the critical issue of cardiac arrests in youths and the life-saving significance of CPR expertise.

According to the British Heart Foundation, starting immediate CPR is vital if someone is having a cardiac arrest. It keeps blood and oxygen moving to the brain and around the body. In Ste's case, it meant he was able to say goodbye to his family.

Jessica said: "The fact that Ste's colleague knew CPR meant Ste could say goodbye to his family. It kept him alive long enough to do that. It's just so important to know the signs of cardiac arrest. It's so sudden and it can happen to anyone."

Ste, who had signed up to be an organ donor a few years before he died, was able to save a child's life by donating his heart valves. Jessica said: "He saved a child. He was an organ donor and his heart valves were in that good of a condition he was able to save a child's life."

After Ste's death, Jessica set up a GoFundMe page to help ease the financial burden that has been placed on Michelle. Jessica said: "She has to rebuild her whole life again. They've got a mortgage together, they've got a home, they had a car together, everything. It's just to help her in any way she needs."