President and Vice-Chancellor’s Statement on the death of University of Waterloo student

Friday, September 5, 2014

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."

Read the full statement