Student pronounced dead after fall from library’s upper level at VIU’s Nanaimo campus

Student pronounced dead after fall from library's upper level at VIU's Nanaimo campus
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Police are at VIU library in Nanaimo after a person fell from the building on Nov. 5, 2018.

Police are at VIU library in Nanaimo after a person fell from the building on Nov. 5, 2018.

Vancouver Island University officials have confirmed that a student has been pronounced dead after a fall from the library’s upper level at the university’s Nanaimo campus.

At around 1 p.m. Nanaimo RCMP and Vancouver Island University (VIU) officials said emergency crews were called to the school to attend to a person that had fallen from the upper level of the library just before 1 p.m.

Nanaimo RCMP says an air ambulance was called, while officers and Emergency Health Services members were also at the scene. One person was airlifted to hospital.

At around 2:12 p.m. VIU announced classes were cancelled for the rest of the day but the campus would remain open.

The university announced a student had died after a fall from the library at around 4:45 p.m.

“We are deeply saddened to report a tragic incident has taken place on our Nanaimo campus today,” VIU said in a statement.

VIU said due to privacy reasons, they will not be providing details about what led to the incident. VIU, RCMP and the BC Coroners Service will not be releasing the identity of the deceased.

VIU will be providing the following services:

  • Our Student Support services will be extending their hours. They will be open tonight (Monday, November 5) until 7 p.m. On Wednesday and Thursday (November 6, 7, 8), services will be available from 8.30 a.m. – 7 p.m. On Friday, November 9, services will be available from 8.30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Ongoing support will also be available tomorrow (November 6) for employees from 10 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. in Building 180, Room 340. Employees can also go to the Human Resources office in Building 305 where additional supports will be provided, or connect with Homewood Health at 1-800-663-1142.
  • Individuals can also access support through the Vancouver Island Crisis Line at 1-888-494-3888, https://www.vicrisis.ca/, text: 250-800-3806.

The Library Commons in Building 305 will open at 6 p.m. tonight. The Starbucks will remain closed but will be open during regular hours on Tuesday.

Classes will be in session Tuesday but anyone who feels they are unable to attend classes, take exams or come to work can contact their professor/supervisor.

“We are very saddened by this tragic incident and want to encourage anyone who needs support to reach out,” VIU said in a statement.

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