Exeter College closed its doors to the general public today as it mourned the loss of two of its students.Sundeep Watts and Harcourt 'Olly' Tucker, both first-year undergraduates, died of unrelated causes on Sunday. Sundeep Watts was diagnosed on Saturday with meningitis. He was taken to the John Radcliffe Infirmary where he died last night. In the same day, Olly Tucker suffered a heart attack while playing hockey.Teresa Cash, Communications Manager from the Health Protection Agency said: "All people that had been in close contact with [Sundeep] have been offered proventive antibiotics" as a precaution and confirmed that there would be no increased meningitis risk to other students.University Authorities have advised students to remain in Oxford rather than to return home early and urges anyone who is concerned to seek medical advice immediately. In a statement made earlier today, Frances Cairncross, Rector of Exeter College, Oxford, said: "Exeter College is devastated by the deaths. Our hearts go out to their families and friends."Cairncross confirmed: "All the specialists dealing with them have assured us that there is no connection whatsoever between the two cases."The College is closed to the general public for the time being, in order to ensure that our students have peace at this difficult time."
by Daniel Millichip and Fiona Wilson
Exeter College Mourns Death of Two Freshers
