Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Waterloo, read the following statement to a news conference earlier today:

"It is with deep regret that we have confirmed the death of a member of our campus community and student body, who was struck by lightning this morning during an unexpected storm, and died of her injuries.

"The family of the deceased student have requested privacy, and have asked that we not release the student’s name.  

"I can confirm, as Waterloo Regional Police have stated, that the student was 18 years old and a Nanotechnology engineering student from Markham, Ontario who had just begun her university career.

"On behalf of our entire community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni, I express heartfelt condolences to this student’s family, friends, and fellow students at this profoundly difficult time.

"This student was both academically strong and personally vibrant. She was admitted to Waterloo’s Nanotechnology Engineering program, which is one of Canada’s most competitive engineering programs.

"Orientation week is a time when campus is especially vibrant and filled with optimism for the future, which makes this student death even more distressing, and her passing a source of immense grief.

"As we struggle to come to terms with the tragic loss of a friend and colleague, I remind our University of Waterloo community members, and students in particular, that our Counselling Services team is available to support you

"We hold this student’s loved ones in our hearts and minds at this difficult time."

Media Contact

Nick Manning
University of Waterloo
519-888-4451
226-929-7627
www.uwaterloo.ca/news
@uWaterlooNews

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