LAST UPDATE | 19 Sep 2023

THE SECONDARY SCHOOL of  Ella Mills, who died in the United States on Sunday, says she was “much cherished” by the community.

Ella was on a trip with Columbia University’s kayaking club when she got into difficulty on the Potomac River in Washington DC. 

A spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service said that a number of people came to her assistance ahead of the arrival of emergency services, but she had died.

Ella was pursuing a dual BA between the Columbia University and Trinity College Dublin, focusing on English studies.

Ronan Walsh, Head of Sutton Park School in Dublin, said it is a “truly tragic time” for those who knew Ella.

“Words fail us all. Our sympathies and thoughts are with Ella’s family and her large group of friends,” he said.

Her mother, Jo-Ann Feely, is the chair of the school’s board of management. Ella’s younger siblings are in second year at the school.

Tanaiste Micheál Martin gives his condolences following the death of an Irish student in a kayaking accident in the US pic.twitter.com/09dWYqZt44

— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) September 19, 2023

Tánaiste Micheál Martin, who is currently in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, expressed his condolences to the family and friends of Ella.

He said he met with the President of Columbia University, who has described to him the “shocking devastation” experienced by the campus.

A spokesperson for Trinity said the college “is grieving the tragic loss”.

“Her family, friends and classmates are in our minds at this difficult time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of this tragic incident and is providing support and assistance to the family.

Columbia University is providing counselling supports to students of the university.

In a statement last night, its president, Minouche Shafik, said: “Words cannot express how heartbroken I feel for her family, her friends, her loved ones, and those students from the University who were with her on this trip.”