Edinburgh University student dies in window fall

A STUDENT at Edinburgh University has died after falling from a window following a party.
Ben McLean. Picture: SubmittedBen McLean. Picture: Submitted
Ben McLean. Picture: Submitted

Police were called to a flat in West Preston Street, in the Newington area of the city at around 9am on Friday, where they found the body of a man in the rear garden.

The victim, named locally as Ben McLean, is thought to have been a second-year medical student at the university.

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It is believed he had attended a party with fellow students at the address the night before, and that the other occupants of the flat were asleep when the tragic incident occurred.

Police are currently treating the death as unexplained but it is understood that the 19-year-old fell from a window on the second floor.

Mr McLean, from Barrhead in East Renfreshire, was described as a ‘true gent’ by friends who paid tribute to him on social media.

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Fellow medical student Pavel Sharma posted on Twitter: “Been in shock for the last 24hrs & it still hasn’t sunk in. RIP Ben, you will be forever loved and missed. My thoughts are with your family.”

He added: “He was a great guy - funny, friendly, smart, enthusiastic, a true gent. Taken too soon. Thanks for being awesome. X”

Andrew Hobson tweeted: “Sometimes life sucks. Devastated to hear of the passing of a truly wonderful guy. My thoughts are with your family at this time. RIP Ben.”

A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “Officers from Police Scotland in Edinburgh have charged a 19-year-old man with drugs supply offences following the discovery of a body on Friday morning in a rear garden at West Preston Street, Edinburgh.”

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He added that the man was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday.

A spokesperson for Edinburgh University said that the institution did not comment on individual cases.

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