A tragic accident claimed the life of a 19-year-old college student in Massachusetts on Tuesday. Alex Kemp, a freshman at Williams College originally from New Jersey, was involved in a skiing accident at the Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Hancock, Massachusetts. The incident occurred on Monday, as reported by the Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office.
The authorities were alerted to the accident at 2:39 p.m. on Monday via a 911 call. The caller reported that Kemp had gone over an embankment on the left side of Cutter Trail, a black diamond trail known for its difficulty. Kemp appeared to have sustained severe head trauma, despite wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
Ski patrol and paramedics were dispatched to the scene immediately. Kemp was initially transported to the Berkshire Medical Center before being transferred to Baystate Medical Center for further treatment. Despite the efforts of the medical team, Kemp succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on Tuesday.
The District Attorney’s Office confirmed that Kemp was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. They also stated that there was no evidence to suggest that drugs or alcohol played a role in the incident.
Kemp, a passionate runner, had been recruited to the cross-country team at Williams College. He had previously attended Christian Brothers Academy in New Jersey. Williams College President Maud Mandel described Kemp as a fearless and highly motivated runner who took great joy in the success of his teammates.
Kemp’s cross-country coach, Dusty Lopez, expressed his condolences, stating that their thoughts were with Kemp’s family, high school teammates, and coaches, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Kemp had aspirations of earning a doctorate in computer science and was studying political science and economics at the time of his death.
Dukes Love, a professor of economics who taught Kemp, described him as one of the strongest students he had taught in his 21-year tenure at the college. Kemp was also known for his volunteer work during high school, including helping children with disabilities learn to ride adaptable bikes.
In his college application essay, Kemp wrote, “Everyone needs someone to root for them and to remind them to always root for themselves.” This sentiment was echoed by those who knew him, as Mandel concluded in the university’s statement.