TRIBUTES have been paid today at University of Chester's Warrington campus after the sad death of a student nurse. 

Students stopped for a time of 'reflective prayer' this morning, Thursday, in memory of Lucy Blackburn.

Professor Annette McIntosh-Scott, Provost of the Warrington Campus of the University of Chester and executive dean of the faculty of health and social care, said: “A sudden death is always shocking, and when it is a young person, at the start of their career, it becomes even more poignant.

“Lucy Blackburn was on the Bachelor of Nursing (Adult Nursing) programme and our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time.

"She was a popular and well-respected second year, who was already showing promise in her studies and her clinical practice.

“Our students and staff at the Warrington Campus and Warrington Hospital are particularly close-knit communities and have been offered help from both the University’s Student Support and Guidance and Chaplaincy teams.

“As her friends and colleagues come to terms with Lucy’s sad loss, we ask for the media’s understanding that they need to grieve in private.”

Karen Dawber, director of nursing and governance of Warrington Hospital, said everyone was saddened by the news after Lucy was on placement with them during her second year.

She added: “We are truly saddened by the sad and tragic death of Lucy.

"She was a wonderful student who would have gone on to be an amazing staff nurse.

"Compassionate and caring she touched the lives of everyone she met at the hospital. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.”