The family of a 19-year-old man who tragically died after collapsing at work have paid tribute to their ”Mr Nice Guy.”
Sales advisor Sam Lewis died after collapsing at the BT call centre in Dundee on Friday. Two crews of paramedics were called and quickly transferred him to Ninewells Hospital but despite doctors’ best efforts he sadly passed away.
Sam’s family are struggling to come to terms with their loss.
”We don’t know what happened yet,” his mother, Lana Rattray, said. ”He just went to his work and fell over and that was it. There was no reason and no cause. The last time he was at the doctor was two years ago.”
Sam’s stepfather, Kenny Rattray, added: ”He was fit as a fiddle.”
Staff at BT rang one of Sam’s sisters and Mrs Rattray rushed to the hospital but he was already dead by the time she got there.
”He was dead and we kissed him goodbye,” she said. ”I still expect him to walk in the door. We can’t go on without him.”
Sam had no underlying health problems and his heartbroken family are now looking for answers.
However, because of today’s public holiday they will have to wait until Tuesday for the results of a post-mortem.
Sam’s big sister Geraldine (31) said: ”If there would have been an illness we would have understood.”
Mr Rattray added: ”We are devastated.”
With three sisters Geraldine, Kerry (26) and Paula (10), Sam was a real ”mum’s boy.” His father, David Lewis, died when he was two.
”He was my boy,” Mrs Rattray said. ”I did everything for him. He was fun-loving, confident and smart and he had a good head on him.
”He was a worker, kind and considerate. He was known as Mr Nice Guy.”
West End boy Sam attended Blackness Primary and then Harris Academy. It was at Harris he met his girlfriend of around two years, Chelsea Craigmile, whom his family said he was very much in love with.
Chelsea posted on Twitter: ”How do I get better once I had the best?” and ”First time by myself. Don’t know what to do with myself.”
A big music fan, Sam had just been to see Noel Gallagher at Edinburgh Castle last Tuesday. But he was also a fan of Frank Sinatra and the old crooners.
Sam was also a football fan, supporting Arsenal and Celtic, and was into fashion.
Kerry said: ”He was had beautiful blond hair, beautiful blue eyes. He made everybody smile from his family to his friends. He lit up a room.”
Mrs Rattray added: ”He was a beautiful big boy. He was perfect, everything about him. He was simply the best. He will never be forgotten. He will be in our thoughts every day. He’s still here with us.”
A very popular young man, Sam will also be missed by his colleagues at BT.
One member of staff said: ”All staff in the department were sent home. Most were devastated at the events that unfolded before them. Work friends of Sam gathered at Clarks bar where BT bought a round of drinks. All at BT are in a state of shock. Our thoughts are with Sam’s family at this time.”
Devastated friends took to Twitter, where Sam’s biography note tragically reads: ”To die would be an awfully big adventure.”
There are scores of tributes to Sam from his close friends and others who knew him. They describe him as a popular, “one in a million” friend who was loved by all.
A BT spokesman said: ”We are deeply saddened and our thoughts are with Sam’s family at this very difficult time.”