News
Monday, September 13, 2010
Westport Student Dies at Canadian University
UPDATE A member of Westport’s Staples High School Class of 2010 died today at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, according to police and family friends.
Cameron Bruce: died at residence hall. File photo
Although police and the university would not confirm the identity, friends at Westport’s Saugatuck Congregational Church said they were told he was Cameron Bruce, 18, son of fellow church members Iain and Linda Bruce. The Y’s Water Rat team also confirmed the identity in an e-mail to members. There was shock and disbelief among Westporters tonight as word spread of the tragedy.
Cameron was a swimmer and trumpeter who most recently played at the town’s Memorial Day service. Iain Bruce is president of the Westport Weston Family Y board of directors and Linda Bruce is a member of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM), the town’s legislative body.
“Our hearts go out to the Bruce family and all who knew Cameron,” First Selectman Gordon Joseloff said in a statement tonight. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them. I know all Westporters share their deep loss.”
News media in Kingston said police were called after the first-year student was found at about 6 a.m. on the grass at the rear of Victoria Hall, a six-floor co-ed residence building that accommodates more than 800 students.
CKWS Television said officers from the police forensic identification unit could be seen photographing the scene and looking towards the sixth floor of the building.
Cameron Bruce played taps at Westport’s Memorial Day service in May. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com
Several passersby noticed a piece of cloth or a bed sheet hanging out of a window of the building which has four wings extending from a center hallway, it said.
Coroner Dr. Hans Westenberg told the Whig-Standard newspaper a post mortem examination will be done in Ottawa, likely on Tuesday.
“He was found by some fellow students,” Westenberg said.
The university lowered flags in memory of the student and issued a statement.
“This is a shock for all of us and our hearts and thoughts are with the student’s family and friends,” John Pierce, associate vice-principal and dean of student affairs, said in the statement.
“Counseling is being made available to all students, and we encourage anyone who wants to access support services and resources to do so. We are here to help.”
The newspaper said today was the first day of classes for undergraduate students following frosh week, a week of events and activities designed to help new students build social bonds and discover the school.
Five years ago, a 20-year-old Westport student, Ricardo Petrillo, died in a fall from a third floor dormitory balcony at Qunnipiac University in Hamden. A coroner ruled the death accidental. (See WestportNow Sept. 19, 2005)
Comments: Comment Policy
May he rest in peace. Our hearts and prayers are with him and the family. Toni and Stephen Rubin
A great, great young man and friend. What a loss for this world. We are holding the Bruce’s in our hearts and in our prayers. The Weirs
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Note: WestportNow Publisher Gordon F. Joseloff is also First Selectman of Westport