Oxford University student, 21, drowns while swimming on a year abroad

A 'remarkable' Oxford University student has died in a suspected drowning in a tragic accident in Guadeloupe while on his year abroad.

Antonio Gato, 21, is understood to have got into difficulty in the water of the Caribbean island.

The undergraduate from Hull, East Yorkshire, was studying modern languages, and travelled to the French territory as part of his year abroad.

He arrived on the island at the beginning of last month and is understood to have gone swimming in the sea at a well-known beauty spot with friends when he went missing.

His disappearance saw a rescue operation being launched with coastguards, police and fire crews joining locals scouring the area at Malendure a Bouillante.

No trace of the swimmer was found and the search resumed by helicopter, however, on October 18, the 21-year-old body was discovered in the water 25 metres from the beach.

His family are understood to have flown over after the news was broken to them at their East Yorkshire home.

Following the tragic news, tributes from friends, students and masters at St Catherine’s College, Oxford, where he was studying were described as ‘deeply shocked’ saying he was a 'remarkable student' whose 'positivity was infectious'

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office confirmed they had not been approached for assitance, but added that 'our staff stand ready to support British nationals overseas 24/7'.

Short-listed for Top 10 Undergraduate of the Year, Mr Gato was in his third year and had moved to French-speaking Guadeloupe to study as part of his degree.

He was thrilled in 2022 when his three A*s in Spanish, French and Italian and an A in law from Wyke Sixth Form College in Hull, secured him a place at the coveted university.

Mr Gato said he was well aware black students from state schools are under-represented at Oxford and Cambridge but wanted to show that race was not an obstacle to a place at a top university.

He said: ‘As a black student, I feel like we are often underrepresented at top universities. I want to inspire other black students like me to have the confidence to push themselves and just apply if it’s their dream to go.’

Friends, students and masters at St Catherine’s said he had excelled, taking an active role in university life and being a popular and well-liked student.

As well as being president of the College Ethnic Minorities Society, he was PR manager for the Oxford African and Caribbean Society.

Professor Bart van Es said: ‘The whole community of St Catherine’s was shocked and deeply saddened at the news of Antonio’s death.

‘He was a loved and special person and many students have been in touch with their memories of him. As Pro-Master, my thoughts are very much with his family and close friends.’

Reflecting on the student, Dr Jessica Goodman, director of studies in Modern Languages said: ‘Antonio was a remarkable student. We knew he was something special at his interview, and he continued to make a huge impression on everyone who came into contact with him from then on. 

'Immensely focused and hardworking, he was also generous with his insights and eternally curious, taking an evident delight in all areas of his studies.

‘His positivity was infectious, and was accompanied by a steely determination to do his absolute best: he would doubtless have gone on to do great things.

‘He is a huge loss to all of us, leaving a big hole in our community at Catz and in Modern Languages in particular. We will miss him enormously, and extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.’

Speaking to his fellow students last year, the 21-year-old said: ‘Starting uni exposed me to the magic of first times. The first steps into independence, the first friendships that feel like family, and the first encounters with new experiences.

‘These moments now hold a special place in my heart. No matter how challenging the journey may become, they serve as a reminder of the magic that life has to offer overall.

‘So, savour these moments. Do it all. Embrace the unknown, because within it lies the potential for extraordinary friendships, unexpected opportunities, and a life filled with the kind of magic that only ‘first times’ can bring.’

Many of the Fellows, staff and students came together in the college’s main quadrangle last week following his death.

A spokesperson for the college said: ‘The news of the death of someone at the heart of our community is difficult to come to terms with and will affect many of us for a long time to come.’

A fundraiser has been launched to support the student's family with the costs of travel to and from Guadeloupe.