Manchester University student, 19, found dead in halls of residence 

A 19-year-old University of Manchester student has been found dead at his halls of residence.

Emergency services rushed to the university’s Fallowfield campus at around 5pm on Thursday after officers received a report of concern for his welfare.

The student, who hasn’t been named, was pronounced dead at the scene. 

His death is not Covid-19 related and police are not treating it as suspicious.

It  comes just days after two 18-year-old freshers died in the same Newcastle University student accommodation block after they were thought to have taken cass-B drug ketamine.

Separately, an 18-year-old man from nearby Washington, died on Saturday and a 21-year-old Northumbria University student died on Sunday after allegedly taking class-A drug MDMA. 

The university said it was providing support to his family and friends and an inquest is expected to be opened and adjourned at a later date.

Dr Simon Merrywest – director for the student experience at the University of Manchester – said: ‘We can confirm that very sadly one of our students was found deceased in their hall of residence at around 5pm on Thursday, October 8.

‘We are providing all possible support to their family and friends and our utmost sympathies go out to them.

‘The family have asked us to make it clear that this incident is not Covid-19-related and that they would wish to see their privacy respected at this difficult time.

‘The university is working closely with the Manchester’s Coroners Office, so we will not be able to comment any further.

‘The University has an extensive package of wellbeing support available to all our students, the details of which can be found here.’

In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: ‘At around 5pm on Thursday, October 8, police received a report of concern for the welfare of a man at a property off Moseley Road, Manchester.

‘Emergency services attended and a 19-year-old man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

‘His next of kin has been informed. There are believed to be no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

Fallowfield is one of the worst-hit student areas for coronavirus outbreaks in Britain with five per cent of people tested positive for the disease in the week ending October 2. 

The University of Manchester, where there have been more than 1,000 cases since September 21, shifted to online learning only this week. 

Jeni Larmour, an Architecture and Urban Planning student, from Newtownhamlinton, Armagh, died in her student accommodation on October 3.

Another other 18-year-old woman – who has not been named – was found in the afternoon. 

Separately, 18-year-old Mark Johnston died after taking a quantity of MDMA and falling seriously ill on Saturday, police believe. Two women, understood to be family members, rushed to the scene.

A 21-year-old Northumbria University student – who has also not been named – died on Sunday after also allegedly taking class-A drug MDMA.