A Trinity College Dublin student studying in the United States drowned in a kayaking incident on the Potomac river near Washington DC on Sunday.
Ella Mills, orginally from Dublin, was on the river as part of a group trip with the Columbia University Whitewater Kayaking Club when, according to local reports, her clothing got caught on a rock after she became submerged in the water.
Ms Mills had just started at Columbia University this month as a third-year student as part of the New York university’s dual BA programme with Trinity College Dublin, where she was studying English.
“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,” said Nemat Shafik, president of Columbia University.
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The university’s dean of general studies, Lisa Rosen-Metsch, she said her thoughts were with Ms Mills’ parents and her brother and sister.
“Originally from Dublin, Ella was just beginning her journey at Columbia University as a third-year student in our Dual BA Program with Trinity College Dublin. She arrived in New York earlier this month to begin her studies at Columbia, having completed her English Studies coursework in Dublin,” she said.
“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.”
She said the young Irish student 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.
In a statement, Trinity College Dublin said the college community was “grieving the tragic loss” of Ms Mills.
“Her family, friends and classmates are in our minds at this difficult time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam,” it said.
In a message on its website, Sutton Park School in north Dublin said “Ella was a much cherished past student”. Ms Mills’s mother, Jo-Ann Feely was chair of the school’s board of management, the school noted.
“Our hearts are broken for Jo-Ann, Ralph and Ella’s two siblings Isabel and Leo who are in second year. This is a truly tragic time. Words fail us all. Our sympathies and thoughts are with Ella’s family and her large group of friends,” it added.
