A woman who died after being pulled from the sea in Brighton during Storm Noa was a budding space scientist who ‘inspired everyone around her’.
Sai Tejaswi Kommareddy, 24, was studying a master’s in astronautics and space engineering at Cranfield University in Bedford.
She died at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, after a huge emergency response was triggered following reports of a person in the water on April 11.
Storm Noa lashed the south coast and two people were killed after going into the sea at Brighton.
The university paid tribute to Ms Kommareddy who died after she was pulled from the water near Brighton Marina.
Sai Tejaswi Kommareddy, 24, died at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, after a huge emergency response was triggered following reports of a person in the water on April 11
A Cranfield University spokeswoman said the university is ‘deeply saddened’ by Sai’s death and is supporting her family, friends, and the university community.
‘Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with her family and friends at this incredibly difficult time,’ said the spokeswoman.
‘We know this loss is devastating and we are supporting friends, family and our wider student and staff community.
‘We would encourage anyone affected by this news to reach out to our wellbeing team for support and advice.’
The master’s student was vice president of the CranSEDS association, the university’s branch of UKSEDS (UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space), which is made up of students who are passionate about space exploration.
A gofundme page set up by her cousin to cover repatriation costs paid tribute to an ‘incredibly bright and passionate student’.
‘Sai was a driven and hardworking individual who dreamed of pursuing a career in aeronautics and space,’ the tribute reads.
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‘She had a natural curiosity and a thirst for knowledge that inspired everyone around her.
‘She had already made significant progress in her studies, but her dreams were cut short before she could achieve her full potential.’
She was taken away on a stretcher by paramedics, but tragically her death was confirmed the next day by Sussex Police, who said they were not treating the incident as suspicious
A coastguard helicopter from Lee-on-the-Solent in Hampshire was called to the incident.
A witness said that emergency services tried to save the 24-year-old’s life by performing CPR.
She was taken away on a stretcher by paramedics, but tragically her death was confirmed the next day by Sussex Police, who said they were not treating the incident as suspicious.
A police spokesman said: ‘Emergency services conducted a search off Brighton beach shortly after 4pm on Tuesday, April 11.
‘Sadly, the body of a woman was found.
‘Her next of kin have been informed.
‘Her death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for HM Coroner.’
An inquest into Sai’s death opened in Brighton on Monday and has been adjourned until November 6.
Sai’s loved ones are currently trying to get her body back to India.
