STUDENTS at an Oxford college were tonight stunned by the deaths of two undergraduates on the same day.

Sundeep Watts, a first-year student from Exeter College, died at the John Radcliffe Hospital from bacterial meningitis on Monday evening. He was diagnosed on Saturday.

Another first-year, Harcourt Olly' Tucker, 19, suffered a suspected heart attack during a hockey match on Sunday and died on Monday, according to a spokesman for the university.

Rector Frances Cairncross said: "Exeter College is devastated by the deaths of two of its first-year students, Sundeep Watts and Harcourt Olly' Tucker. Our hearts go out to their families and friends.

"The deaths are entirely unconnected. Sundeep Watts was diagnosed on Saturday with meningitis. Olly Tucker collapsed in the course of a hockey match.

"All the specialists dealing with him have assured us that there is no connection whatsoever between the two cases.

"The college has taken advice at every stage from the public health authorities. Their view is that our other students are not at any increased risk.

"However, we have reinforced from Saturday onwards knowledge of the warning symptoms of meningitis. Our staff have worked non-stop to answer questions from the student body, and will continue to do so.

"We have arranged an extensive network of counselling for anyone who requires it."

She added: "The information we have been given is that it is preferable that the students remain in Oxford than that they return home early.

"The college doctor and the medical authorities are extremely alert to signs of meningitis, and the John Radcliffe Hospital has an outstanding capacity in tackling it.

"The college is closed to the general public for the time being, in order to ensure that our students have peace at this difficult time."

A flag was flying at half-mast above the college in Turl Street today and a notice posted on the door of the porter's lodge said: "The Rectors, Fellows, students and staff regret to announce the deaths of Harcourt Olly' Tucker and Sundeep Watts, Commoners of Exeter College, on Monday, November 12, 2007."

A tribute page to Olly has been posted on social networking website Facebook.

Jason Paans wrote: "I went to high school with Olly in South Africa. He was a very good friend of mine. We played in a band together.

"Out of all the people I went to school with, he really stood out as someone that would go far in life. He truly was something special."

Dean Hildebrand added: "Olly, you were one of the most cheerful people I've ever known. You were fiercely intelligent beyond comparison. I cannot believe you're gone."

School friend James Guthrie, 18, called from Switzerland to say: "I was speaking to Olly last week, so this has come as a real shock."