Tuesday 06-01-2026 - 13:18

 

 

During the recent winter break we received very sad news that a member of our community had died. Tom Dingle, who was on the first-year undergraduate Philosophy programme, was reported missing on 13 December. Police confirmed that on 25 December his body was discovered in Dalton, near Wigan, in West Lancashire. 
 
This is a tragic outcome that will of course cause great distress among those close to him. Colleagues at Lancaster shared this information with the University community shortly after Lancashire Police made its announcement, so that students and staff affected could immediately find the support they may need. 
 
Tom was a member of Bowland College as well as the Lancaster University Muay Thai society. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends, and all those at Lancaster who got to know him. 
 
Wellbeing staff at the University will seek to reach out to students they believe were close to Tom, so they can be offered direct support.
 
If you are affected in any way by this news please make contact with one of the services available to you. And if you are concerned about someone you know, please encourage them to seek support. For current staff and students, options available through the University that may be helpful include:  

·       Student wellbeing support, which includes the Student Mental Health Service as well as a 24/7 helpline     
·       the Employee Assistance Programme for staff, including graduate teaching assistants     
·       the Chaplaincy for staff and students     
·       The Students’ Union’s advice service, which offers confidential help and support to students.     
 
Support is also available from charities such as the Samaritans, The Good Grief Trust, and Mind.  

The University is in contact with Tom’s family and are offering them as much support as possible. 

An online book of condolence is available for you to share your tributes and memories, and, in time, subject to family wishes, we will also begin making arrangements for a memorial event here in Lancaster so we can come together as a community in Tom’s memory.