Tributes to law student who died after stairs fall
Tributes have been paid to a law student who died after an accident at his university. Police believe Luke Johns, 19, from Pontypridd, suffered a fatal head injury in a tragic accident at halls of residence at Plymouth University.
Floral tributes have been left to the popular student near the stairs at the Discovery Heights halls where he died, next to lit candles, a bottle of scrumpy and cans of cider.
A note reads: “We send our heartfelt sympathies to friends and family through this difficult time. Rest in peace. Love 805.”
Friend Summer Louise Otton said: “This is the beginning of what people have been placing in Discovery in memory of the wonderful Luke Johns.”
The accident happened at around 2:30am at the block of flats in Cobourg Street on Sunday.
Luke is understood to have been at an “after-party” in the halls – with one witness describing panicked scenes and saying he was still “haunted” by what he saw.
An investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding his death, the Mirror reports.
Tributes have also been posted online by friends – both in Devon and in Wales – who variously described Luke as “the nicest”, “a true friend”, “such a good person”, “a top guy” and “true legend”.
Llantwit Fardre FC, who Luke used to play for, posted a tribute online.
It said: “Our condolences go out to the family and friends of our former player Luke ‘Johnsy’ Johns who tragically passed away this weekend. #oneofourown RIP”.
A JustGiving page has been set up to raise money for the funeral, which has raised more than £1,800 in less than 24 hours.
It describes Luke as “a friend, a brother and a loving son” adding: “We are going to raise as much money as possible to help Luke’s family really give him the send off he deserves.”
It was set up by his best friend, Sam Roberts, who posted online: “A day and a life never to be forgotten, sleep tight big man. RIP Johnsy”.
Another friend, Max Galeozzie, posted a photo in tribute online, saying Luke was “a great character who should never have been taken away from us this early”.
His friend, Nathan Cousins, said online that it had been “both a pleasure and privilege to have got to spend so much time with such an amazing friend”.
Welsh band The Brocklebank paid tribute, saying: “Luke always supported us. From recording the EP to rehearsing for shows he was there. We’ve lost a brother.”
A witness of the accident told The Plymouth Herald that there was panic in the aftermath of Luke’s fall.
The man, who did not wish to be named, said a small group had attended a gathering at the block of halls after police had shut down a large student party.
The witness said there were roughly 10 people in the flat at the time of the incident, some of whom did not even know anything had happened.
“My friend and I went down to the ground floor to leave to go to North Hill,” he said.
“I opened the doors and saw a boy who was laid on the floor with severe head injuries.
“The paramedics had just arrived, and were screaming at us to get out.
“The security guards were guiding us up to the first floor to exit – we left immediately.”
The witness said the party was still in full swing after the accident, because many had no idea it had happened.
“It was an after-party to the one we had previously been at,” he said.
“I recognised [the boy] from when we walked from North Road East but I don’t know who he was with. “Everyone was extremely drunk. “Nobody saw what happened, everyone was still upstairs at the party.
“When I arrived people were drinking on the stairs.”
He said he was “haunted” by what he witnessed and had been unable to sleep since the accident.
The witness said: “You see this kind of thing in films but I never expected this to happen.
“I haven’t slept for two days. What I saw was absolutely horrific, even the paramedic’s reaction is haunting me. What happened will stay with me forever,
“My thoughts are with his family and friends”.