A MAN died outside a nightclub despite the best efforts of paramedics and door staff who fought to save his life.

William Moss collapsed in Lucy Road, Southend, at about 2.20am on Saturday after visiting Chameleon nightclub.

Nightclub owner Dick De Vigne said he was not present during the incident but was at the hospital until 5.30am as doctors battled to save the 22-year-old.

He said he did not know Mr Moss personally but understood that he was a well-liked and “friendly character” and his death was a tragedy.

Mr De Vigne said he could not comment further until more was known about the circumstances of his death.

A spokesman for Chameleon said: “The owners, management and staff of Chameleon Nightclub are saddened by the tragic death earlier today from causes as yet unknown of Mr William Moss, following his brief visit to the club in the early hours of Saturday, July 23, 2016.

“The incident has deeply affected those members of staff who attended upon and endeavoured to assist Mr Moss in Lucy Road during the protracted delay before the attendance of the ambulance service.

“It would seem that although they had initially succeeded in resuscitating him, Mr Moss died some hours later at Southend Hospital.

“All concerned would like to take this opportunity to send their heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mr Moss.”

An Essex Police spokesman said the death was not being treated as suspicious.

He said: “We were called at 2.25am this morning to reports of a man in his 20s who had fallen unwell outside Chameleon nightclub in Lucy Road, Southend.

“Despite the best efforts of club security staff, ambulance personnel and doctors at Southend Hospital the man sadly died.

“His death is currently being treated as unexplained but there are no suspicious circumstances and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”

An ambulance service spokesman said: "Two ambulance crews and an ambulance officer attended to a man, believed to be in his 20s, who had collapsed in Lucy Road.

"He was unconscious and not breathing.

"He was treated at the scene and was taken to Southend University Hospital in a critical condition."

He added: "The first call came in at 1.42am to a man who was conscious and breathing and was coded with a target of responding in 30 minutes.

"Another call was made at 2.14am when the man’s condition deteriorated and the call was upgraded to a ‘Red 1’ response to a life-threatening emergency.

"An ambulance crew was immediately dispatched and was on scene at 2.24am followed by an ambulance officer and another ambulance crew."