University of Nottingham confirms two students killed in attack

The university has released a statement regarding the deaths

In a statement, the university said: "It is with great sadness that we confirm the sudden and unexpected death of two of our students following a major incident in Nottingham city centre overnight.

"We are shocked and devastated by the news and our thoughts are with those affected, their families and friends.

"We know this is likely to cause distress for staff and students in our community. Support is available through our support and wellbeing services for any of our community who may need it."

In a separate statement, the students' union announced that the Grad Ball due to take place this evening has been cancelled.

The confirmation from the university comes after reports that two of those killed had been students walking home from a nightclub in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The Mirror reported that the pair are understood to have lived in the same halls of residence and had been on the way home when they were stabbed to death on Ilkeston Road, in one of three linked incidents in the city early Tuesday.

The pair are understood to have passed away on the street close to student halls in Lenton.

A friend of the male victim, told the publication: “He was a friend of mine. He was just walking home from a club like we all do. They just got unlucky.

“They were just five minutes from home and both got stabbed by some random guy.”

The friend said both students were first years at the University of Nottingham.

After declaring a “major incident” on Tuesday morning, Nottinghamshire Police revealed they attended three crime scenes they believed were linked, and that three people were dead. Another three are in hospital.

Shortly after 4am, officers were called to Ilkeston Road where two people were found dead in the street.

They were then called to Milton Street where a van had attempted to run over three people, who are now being treated in hospital. One, a man is in critical condition, while two others are believed to have suffered minor injuries.

A man was also found dead in Magdala Rd.

Nottinghamshire Police said officers were working with counter-terrorism policing colleagues to investigate the circumstances but was keeping an “open mind”.

Related links:

Nottingham witness tells of hearing ‘blood-curdling screams’ as two people were stabbed to death