Irish student dies in kayaking accident in the US

An Irish student has died in a kayaking accident in Washington.

English studies student Ella Mills was studying at Columbia University in the US as part of a dual BA programme with Trinity College Dublin.

President of Columbia University Minouche Shafik released a statement on the university website saying Ms Mills died in a kayaking accident on a trip with the Columbia University Whitewater Kayaking Club.

The statement said: “Words cannot express how heartbroken I feel for her family, her friends, her loved ones, and those students from the university who were with her on this trip.”

A spokesperson for Trinity College Dublin said the school community was “grieving the tragic loss” of Ms Mills.

“Her family, friends and classmates are in our minds at this difficult time. Ar dheis De go raibh a h-anam,” they said.

In a letter to students, Lisa Rosen-Metsch, a dean and professor at Columbia, said she was “heartbroken” to inform them of Ms Mills’ death.

“Ella had a love for learning, was intellectually curious, and passionate about literature — eager to soak in new ways of looking at literature and viewing the world as a literary scholar,” Ms Rosen-Metsch’s letter read.

“She was an active member of the Trinity College Dublin community as part of the Trinity College Dublin drama society, the DU Players, the Trinity College Dublin Tennis Club, and the Philosophical Society, among many others.

“She is survived by her loving parents, brother and sister. Our thoughts and compassion are with them at this very difficult time.”