The student news site of Marquette University

Marquette Wire

The student news site of Marquette University

Marquette Wire

The student news site of Marquette University

Marquette Wire

Study abroad student dies after falling 50 feet

The banks of the Tiber River near John Cabot University's campus in Rome. Photo by Sarah Hauer / sarah.hauer@mu.edu
The banks of the Tiber River near John Cabot University’s campus in Rome. Photo by Sarah Hauer / [email protected]

Andrew Keith Carr, a junior in the College of Business Administration, died early Tuesday morning after falling onto a landing on the bank of the Tiber River in Rome.

Carr was studying abroad for the summer at John Cabot University and was walking with friends along the Tiber River when he lost his balance and fell from a parapet along the bank, according to an email from the President of John Cabot University Franco Pavoncello.

Sharon Lyons Butler, assistant dean for student conduct, health and well-being and student employment at John Cabot University, said Carr “hopped up onto the wall, lost his balance and fell” between 1:30 and 2 a.m. Reports from the Italian news media said Carr fell about 15 meters (approximately 50 feet). Carr was with four friends from John Cabot who were all later interviewed by law enforcement in Rome. A witness who was not with the group was also interviewed.

In an email to the Marquette community, university president the Rev. Scott Pilarz said, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Andrew’s family and friends. In this time of overwhelming sadness, I know that we will gather together to support each other in our grief and to pay tribute to Andrew’s memory.”

At Marquette, Carr was a Dean’s List student who received Ignatius and Magis scholarships. He was also a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and a participant on the university’s Quidditch team.

Pilarz said in the email, “We are working with John Cabot University to provide support services and on-site counseling to Andrew’s roommates and friends in Rome. Counseling services and Campus Ministry support are also available here on campus for all faculty, staff and students.”

The Rev. Daniel Hendrickson, associate vice president in the Office of the Executive Vice President at Marquette, will arrive Wednesday afternoon and meet with students in Rome. He will also assist Carr’s family when they arrive in Rome later this week.

Butler said John Cabot also added extra counselors for support.

“We just want to make sure that the students know they have people around them who care,” Butler said.

Tuesday night, about 20 students at John Cabot gathered to remember Carr with the university president and faculty.

“In some ways it was a bit soon for some people to gather together in a public place to grieve,” Butler said. “The shock of what happened is still very fresh.”

Further memorial events will be planned once Carr’s family arrives in Rome.

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