Cardiff University’s Vice-Chancellor Wendy Larner said the man’s’ death is ‘tragic and devastating,’ portraying him as a ‘highly regarded young academic and much liked colleague’
Tributes have been paid to a “talented and kind” physicist who died at the university campus where he worked. Police have identified the man as Curtis, 29, who sadly passed away after a fall at Cardiff University’s Translational Research Hub in Cathays on Friday (February 6).
Curtis’ family described him as a “beloved son and brother” who will be missed “every day”. In her statement, Cardiff University’s Vice-Chancellor Wendy Larner said Curtis’ death is “tragic and devastating”, portraying him as a “highly regarded young academic and much liked colleague.”
Professor Peter Smowton, Curtis’ line manager at the university, remembered him as “kind and considerate” and a “truly talented physicist”.
He stated: “Curtis’ friends and colleagues are devastated by the news. We will always remember him as kind and considerate, as a truly talented physicist, good practically and who mastered the detail of the phenomena he was investigating.
“He always thought carefully before speaking, giving sage advice to others and was always willing to help and be involved. He will be dearly missed.”, reports Wales Online.
Cardiff University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wendy Larner expressed: “This is such tragic and devastating news. On behalf of the whole of the Cardiff University community, I’d like to extend my deepest condolences to Curtis’ family and friends at such a difficult and challenging time. The loss of such a highly regarded young academic and much liked colleague will be felt deeply across the university, and beyond.”
She emphasised: “That’s why it is so important that anyone who has been impacted by Curtis’ untimely death reach out and access the support that is available through the university and more widely.”
A Cardiff University spokesperson added: “Curtis’s death remains subject to on-going investigations and, out of respect to his family and friends, we repeat the family’s request for their privacy to be respected to allow them time to grieve.”
A police spokesman previously said: “At approximately 3.45pm on Friday afternoon South Wales Police received a report regarding a man who had fallen from the fifth floor of a building at Cardiff University, located on Maindy Road, Cardiff.
“Emergency services attended; however the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Currently there are no suspicious circumstances and next of kin and HM Coroner have been informed.”
Cardiff University said staff and students are encouraged to reach out out to the university health and wellbeing team if they are in need of support.