Ella Mills was on the Potomac River in Maryland while on a trip with the Columbia University Whitewater Kayaking Club when it is reported her clothing got caught on a rock after being submerged in the water on Sunday.
She had started at Columbia University this autumn as a third-year student in its dual BA programme with TCD, where she studied English.
Today, Ronan Walsh, the head of Sutton Park School in Dublin, paid tribute to Ella, who completed her Leaving Cert there in 2020.
“It is with great sadness that I write to let you know that our former pupil Ella Mills died tragically in a kayaking accident on Sunday in Washington DC. Ella was a much cherished past student of Sutton Park School,” Mr Walsh said in a post on the school website.
He added: “Ella’s Mum Jo-Ann Feely will be known to many of you as Chair of our Board Of Management. 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. May she rest in peace.”
Columbia’s General Studies (GS) Dean, Lisa Rosen-Metsch, announced the news in an email to the college community yesterday.
“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 wrote.
“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.
“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 is survived by her loving parents, brother, and sister. Our thoughts and compassion are with them at this very difficult time.”
Members of the Wellbeing Team and Columbia Counselling and Psychological Services (CPS) are providing support as needed.
“To our GS community – we are grieving with you and holding Ella and her family and friends in our thoughts and hearts. Our entire staff at Columbia GS, as well as our colleagues throughout the campus, are available to offer continued support to you,” Ms Rosen-Metsch said.
A community reflection was held on Monday evening in the Columbia University.
Trinity College said its community is “grieving the tragic loss of Ella Mills, an English Studies student who passed away on September 17”.
In a statement the college said: “Ella was studying at Columbia University as part of a dual BA programme with Trinity. Her family, friends and classmates are in our minds at this difficult time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam.”
Media reports in Washington say the group from the Columbia University Whitewater Kayaking Club was kayaking on the Potomac River in Little Falls near the Chain Bridge when Ella became trapped under water after her clothing got caught on a rock.
They say Montgomery County Fire Department said in a release that first responders were called to reports of a kayaker in distress at about 3.15pm local time.
The group, along with others passing by, tried to help Ella before first responders arrived.
Pete Piringer of Montgomery County Fire and Rescue said: “It’s very deceiving. In some areas it looks calm, but it’s not. If you’re brought even a foot or two under water, it’s like having 500 pounds of pressure against you.”
