College student, 19, dies in horrific skiing accident on ‘most difficult trail on Massachusetts mountain’

A student tragically lost her life while skiing the most challenging course on a mountain in Massachusetts.

Alex Kemp, a 19-year-old Williams College freshman from New Jersey, suffered severe head trauma in a skiing accident Monday afternoon at Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Hancock.

He tragically succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on Tuesday.

“Our thoughts and hearts are with his family, his high school teammates and coaches and everyone else who was fortunate enough to know Alex,” Dusty Lopez, Kemp’s cross country coach, said in a speech. statement shared by their university.

Police received a 911 call Monday afternoon around 2:39 p.m. reporting an accident that occurred on the left side of Cutter Trail.

The Cutter Trail – a 200-metre black diamond ski run – is considered the ‘most difficult’ trail for experienced skiers, according to a study. Jiminy Peak Trail Map.

“The caller indicated that Mr. Kemp had gone over an embankment and appeared to have suffered significant head trauma,” police said in a news release.

Upon hearing of the accident, the ski patrol was immediately dispatched to the scene.

Paramedics attempted to save Kemp before he was transported to Berkshire Medical Center and later moved to Baystate Medical Center for further care.

According to the Public Prosecution Service, there was “no indication that drugs or alcohol were involved in the incident.”

Despite wearing a helmet, Kemp’s injuries proved too severe and he died heartbreakingly the next day.

Kemp was in his first year of college studying political science and economics while also pursuing a doctorate in computer science.

He originally came to Massachusetts after being recruited directly from Christian Brothers Academy for the cross country team – a private all-boys preparatory Catholic high school in New Jersey.

The avid runner’s untimely death left those who knew him with heavy hearts, including his coach who revealed that he immediately became a loved and important member of the team due to his talent and incredible personality.

“Alex had a confident, positive, regal attitude and it was consistent every day,” Lopez added in the school’s statement.

“This made him a valuable member of our team, even in his freshman year, in addition to his obvious gifts as an athlete. He loved being at Williams, being part of our team and always knew how to bring others along.”

At the time he established himself as a runner in Massachusetts, he placed among all the first-year NCAA championships.

He was described as a man who never backed down from a challenge.

“Alex was fearless and incredibly motivated as a runner, both in training and competition,” Lopez added. “But even when he wasn’t having his own best day, he took genuine joy and pride when he saw his teammates doing well.”

‘The team was always his biggest priority. Our entire team feels an enormous sense of loss and sadness at this tragic accident.”

Dukes Love, an economics professor who taught Alex this fall, shared a similar view of the dedicated student.

“Alex was one of the strongest students I have taught in 21 years of college,” Love shared in the statement. ‘Economics seemed natural to him and he clearly enjoyed learning.’

His high school life highlighted what his future potential would have been had it not been cut short.

Kemp had volunteered at iCan Bike – a camp where he helped children with disabilities become more independent and learn to ride adaptive bikes.

He also volunteered at the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen, a nonprofit restaurant that serves people based on their ability to pay — and ultimately donates all profits to charity.

Food drives, Little League and his school’s investment club are just a few other things Kemp participated in during his short 19-year life.

Kemp’s own words in his poignant and emotional college application essay ended with the words, “Everyone needs someone to support them and remind them to always advocate for themselves.”

“That was the spirit described by so many people who knew him,” university president Maud Mandel said in a statement.

Kemp’s tragic death comes just days after a 12-year-old Massachusetts boy died in a horrific crash at a New Hampshire ski resort while traveling with his family.

On New Year’s Eve morning around 11 a.m., Jack Murray was skiing the intermediate level Bandit Trail on Cranmore Mountain in North Conway when the tragedy unfolded.

Police said the youth, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, crashed into a tree and was found unconscious in the snow.

Ski patrol personnel immediately began CPR and transported him to the base of the mountain, where he was then transported to Maine Health/Memorial Hospital in critical condition.

But unfortunately, the young boy, who was later identified as Jack, succumbed to his injuries while being treated at the hospital.

“He was skiing on a course that was well within his capabilities. He was wearing his helmet and safety equipment,” said his father Paul Murray WCVB.

“Just a one-in-a-million accident that unfortunately cut his life short.”

Jack was a seventh grader at Chapman Middle School and enjoyed art and playing drums in the school band.

His family described the boy as a loving older brother with an infectious laugh and a sense of positivity.

“Jack is the most magical little boy and was on his way to becoming a truly exceptional man,” his obituary said.

“Jack is the best child a parent could ask for and we are all better people for having known him.”

“Despite his short life, he did more in twelve years than most do in a lifetime,” the obituary continued.

“Jack loved his family, friends and neighbors (told this often) and he knew how much he was loved. Jack’s absence will leave a hole in the hearts of all who knew him, and the entire Weymouth community.”