‘What a tragedy’
Province in shock after Memorial University student lost in ocean off Flatrock
Almost two days after a young university student slipped into the ocean in Flatrock, all seemed quiet from the shoreline late Friday morning.
As the search for 21-yearold Supul Jayasinghe continued, only a few vehicles could be seen on the sunny, windy day.
An older man, Dave Gosse, was strolling in the parking lot with his dog, Maggie, ahead of him on a leash. He walked slowly out to the edge of the nearby wharf and looked at the water, where waves were crashing over the rocks.
“My gosh, it's just so sad. What a tragedy,” Gosse said, shaking his head. “He, such a young man, too, with such a bright future.”
Jayasinghe had reportedly been walking close to the water on the smooth, sloped rocks while out for a walk with his parents and the family's dog Tuesday evening when he slipped and fell into the ocean.
“It's a hard spot here. With those waves and the water so cold, if you fall in, you're gone,” said Gosse, who spent much of his life fishing those same waters.
“And those rocks are just like grease.”
When Jayasinghe was reported missing, the RNC set up a command post and had and its marine unit scouring the waters, with help from the Canadian Coast Guard, Rovers Ground Search and Rescue, and nearby fire departments, as well as a Cormorant helicopter and Cougar helicopter.
At 3 p.m. Friday, the search was officially suspended for safety reasons.
“Conditions were steadily deteriorating,” RNC spokesman James Cadigan said, adding that the search will resume when conditions allow it. “The investigation is ongoing and officers will continue to assess the situation.”
Cadigan said if anyone sees anything in relation to Jayasinghe to contact the RNC right away.
News of the tragedy sent shock waves throughout the province.
Memorial University president Vianne Timmons issued a statement to the university community, expressing sympathy for the family of Jayasinghe, an undergraduate biology student, who had just finished writing his last exam.
“He was, in the words of his father, a very beautiful soul,” Timmons said. “Supul wanted to be a doctor. He had a dream of joining Doctors Without Borders someday to help people in need around the world.
“The Memorial community joins his family and friends in mourning his loss. We are sending our thoughts and condolences to Supul's family.”
She said MUN'S students' union also shared its sorrow and is offering solidarity and support to fellow students.
“I encourage students and employees who feel they could benefit from counselling and support in this difficult time to reach out for help,” Timmons said.
Students who would like to speak to a counsellor at the Student Wellness and Counselling Centre can do so by contacting swccwellness@ mun.ca.
Employees can access resources through the employee assistance program.
While Flatrock Mayor Darrin Thorne didn't return The Telegram's calls, many residents took to social media to express their shock.
The community has seen its fair share of tragedies in the last number of years.
Last year, a 25-year-old woman drowned in Big River, a popular swimming hole in the town.
It's the same spot where 16-year-old Zachary Knee drowned in 2017.
There were others who drowned in one of the four popular swimming areas in the town — Chris Codner, 17, in 2002 and Fred Gamberg, 23, in 1995. There have also been many close calls at Big River, the Bark Pot, the Whirly Hole and Jim Dunn's Hole.