I've just received the shocking news that my colleague Alan Swan was killed in a car accident this morning. Here's the email — it's all I know at present:
On behalf of Dean Dennis Lynch, I write with great sadness to inform you that Professor Alan Swan died in a car accident this morning. His wife, Mary Jo, was also in the car and was seriously injured and is presently in intensive care. She is not able to take calls or receive visitors.
We do not have other details at the moment but will follow up as soon as we have other information.
Please keep the Swan family in your thoughts and prayers.
Alan had been coping bravely with a very serious and apparently terminal illness for some time, but this is still very sudden and unexpected.
How shocking. I liked Alan and he was always encouraging. My thoughts are with you and his family.