News Archive

Death of Sibly Student – University of Reading

Release Time: 6pm The University of Reading regrets to announce that a student, Andrew Tucker, died earlier today after being involved in an accident on Saturday evening. The 19-year-old undergraduate was injured when he became trapped in a lift shaft at shortly after 11pm on Saturday 24 May at the University's Sibly Hall of residence in Redhatch Drive, Lower Earley, Reading. Police and ambulance services were called to the scene and Andrew Tucker was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, where he died today. A joint investigation has been launched, involving Thames Valley Police, the Health and Safety Executive and the University of Reading. The death is not believed to be suspicious. An inquest will be opened and adjourned in the near future. A spokesman for Andrew Tucker's family said this afternoon: 'Our son passed away this afternoon. The NHS, Thames Valley Police, Reading University and his friends and colleagues have all been wonderful. "Our thoughts are now with the people who were stuck in the lift with our son and we sympathise with what they are going through. "We want to be left alone so we can come to terms with what has happened." Professor Gordon Marshall, Vice-Chancellor of the University said today: "Our thoughts are very much with Andrew's family and friends at this sad time. We are offering counselling to any students who may need support. "The University takes safety very seriously and we are working fully with the police and Health and Safety Executive to establish what happened."