A Nigerian student named Alexander Ukwu, 19,
died on Thursday April 23rd at the University of
Southampton Hartley Grove Halls due to a
‘Helium Leak’.
Alex, who was an alumni of Loyola Jesuit College
Cla$$ of 2012, was a first year student at the UK
university studying MEng Electrical and
Electronic Engineering.
He was found dead around 11.26am on
Thursday morning inside a student halls of
residence room filled with helium, according to a
statement released by the university.
A team of chemical experts had been called in to
make sure it was safe for students who lived at
the hall to go inside the building due to a large
amount of helium gas inside.
But when they discovered Alex’s room was
locked, they broke it down and discovered his
body.
The halls were then cordoned off until at least
3pm. Alex’s d€ath is not being treated as
suspicious, though no-one else was injured or
treated at the scene.
In a statement to Alexander’s fellow students,
Neil White, head of the electronics and computer
science department, said:
“I am writing to you in my capacity as Head of
ECS, and with great sadness, to notify you of the
d€ath yesterday of Alexander Ukwu who was a
first year student studying MEng Electrical and
Electronic Engineering.
Alexander will be sadly missed and we are in
contact with his family to send our condolences
and sympathy to them at this difficult time.
“I understand that you may be very upset by this
news, there are a number of different ways you
can access support, if you feel you would like
to.”