The university year has begun with tragedy following the death of an international student at Massey University's Rotary Court hall of residence in Palmerston North.
Mohd Faizal bin Ahmad Kamil, 20, from Malaysia, died on Wednesday night from what is believed to be an asthma attack. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances and the case has been referred to the coroner.
Fellow students found Mr Kamil, a Muslim, unconscious in his room about 7pm. Attempts to revive him, firstly by staff and subsequently by paramedics, were unsuccessful.
Mr Kamil had only moved into the halls two days earlier.
He was enrolled to study towards a bachelor of science degree, majoring in mathematics.
His family in Malaysia have been notified and cultural requirements associated with the death have been handed over to the Islamic Centre on campus and the surrounding Muslim community, Massey spokesman James Gardiner said.
It is often preferable for followers of Islam that they be buried within 24 hours of their death.
"It's one of those very sad situations that you can't predict," Mr Gardiner said.
"For most of these students in the halls it is likely the first time they've had to deal with death. If anyone does need it, we have counsellors on staff they can speak with."
Rotary Court residents and staff were yesterday shocked and saddened by the incident and many students expressed their sympathies to Mr Kamil's family.
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