St Andrews University has been plunged into mourning at news that a much-loved student has died following a tragic accident while on holiday with friends in Cyprus.
Canadian international relations student Jonathan Wookey was hailed as a rising sports star and an inspirational member of the university community.
St Andrews University principal and vice-chancellor Louise Richardson led tributes to the popular 22-year-old.
The talented athlete died in hospital on Wednesday evening after suffering serious head injuries. Details of the tragedy remain unclear, but it was thought Jonny was knocked unconscious and fell into a coma. He had been with close friends at the time.
Professor Richardson spoke of a young man who had immersed himself in student life so far from his homeland.
She said: ”Jonny’s friends and teachers knew him as an energetic and inspiring member of the St Andrews community. A graduate of Upper College Canada and a native of Toronto, he was instrumental in the creation of both the Canadian Club at St Andrews, a society dedicated to fundraising to send young people to summer camp, and the newly-founded St Andrews ice hockey team, the Typhoons.”
She added that his athleticism was apparent through his dedication to running he completed last year’s Edinburgh Marathon his regular games of tennis and hikes throughout Scotland.
In the world of academia, she added: ”As an international relations student his intellectual curiosity spanned a diverse range of subjects. Friends say that his excitement about all things, including his upcoming employment at an investment bank in London, was contagious.
“He worked tirelessly to fulfil his passions.”
She said those closest to him listed confidence and curiosity as two of his most striking attributes.
”To all those who knew him, he was an intensely genuine, funny and kind friend.”
Jonny was assistant to captain Ollie Cutting in the new ice hockey club.’An unparalleled enthusiasm for life’Via Facebook, Ollie paid tribute saying: ”I have never met a more likeable, talented and genuine guy with an unparalleled enthusiasm for life, a great sense of humour and he always had a smile on his face.
”There is no doubt that the world is a worse place without Jonny. It goes without saying that Jonny would want us all to continue to stay strong and smile through this tough time.
“He would want us to learn that life may indeed be short so we should make the most of it while we can.
“The ‘Phoons will do all that we can to make certain that he is gone but never forgotten and our hearts are with his family at this time.
“Rest In Peace Jonny Wookey, a truly incredible guy and someone that sets the benchmark for how to be a real all-rounder.”