Tributes are being paid to Dublin student Ella Mills, who died in Washington DC earlier this week.
Ms Mills was a third-year student at Columbia University in New York, as part of a dual BA program with Trinity College.
She died on Sunday in an accident on the Potomac River near Washington DC while on a trip with the Columbia University Whitewater Kayaking Club.
Ms Mills arrived in New York earlier this month to begin her studies at Columbia, having completed her English Studies coursework in Dublin.
Ella Mills had just started her studies at New York's Columbia University. Image: P.Spiro / Alamy Stock PhotoHead of her former school, Sutton Park School in Dublin, Ronan Walsh described the situation as 'truly tragic'.
"Ella was a much cherished past student of Sutton Park School," he wrote on the school's website.
"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," he added.
In a touching tribute on X, formerly known as Twitter, the school said: "Ella always flew the flag for the quiet ones. We appreciate the quiet ones".
A tough day for all today . Ella always flew the flag for the quiet ones. We appreciate the quiet ones. pic.twitter.com/JW18wfMrji
— Sutton Park School (@SPSSutton) September 19, 2023
Columbia University Dean Lisa Rosen-Metsch said Ms Mills had new ways of looking at literature.
"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.
"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.
"She is survived by her loving parents, brother, and sister. Our thoughts and compassion are with them at this very difficult time," she added.
