Western University Mourns Students who Died in Tragic Plane Crash

Wednesday, 8 January 2020 13:40

Four students from Western University in London and two PHD students from Guelph University are among the Canadians who died in a tragic plane crash last night in Tehran.

LONDON - Four students from Western University were on the Ukrainian Airlines plane heading from Tehran to Kyiv that crashed into a field minutes after takeoff.

They are among the sixty-three Canadians who died in the terrible crash. Two PHD students from the University of Guelph also perished in the tragedy.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calls the crash ``heartbreaking'' saying "My thoughts are with all those who are mourning the loss of family members, friends, and loved ones." President and Vice Chancellor of Western University Alan Shepard also released the following statement.

"It is with sadness I share that Western is aware of four students who have died in the crash of Ukrainian International Airlines Flight PS752 in Iran last night. Three were current graduate students and one was an incoming graduate student. Out of respect for their families, we are not naming the students at this early stage until more information is available. We grieve their loss and the other passengers aboard this flight. This is a difficult time, we are deeply saddened and it’s important for all of us to come together as a caring community."

The University is offering counselling services and supports today. Students impacted by this tragic event can gather in community in Western International’s Chu Centre, in IGAB starting at 12:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. Student Experience will have counsellors available at Western International for individual grief counselling starting at 2 p.m., continuing until 9 p.m.

Western is grieving the lives lost on Flight #PS752, including members of our own campus community. We will gather today at 5pm in IGAB, and immediate supports are available. Please read the full memo from President Alan Shepard: https://t.co/DftPW5035t
— Western University (@WesternU) January 8, 2020