A 19-year-old college freshman from New Jersey tragically lost his life in a skiing accident in Massachusetts on Tuesday. Alex Kemp, a student at Williams College, was skiing at the Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Hancock, Massachusetts when the accident occurred on Monday, according to the Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office.
The authorities were notified of the accident at 2:39 p.m. on Monday through a 911 call. The caller reported that Kemp had skied off an embankment on the left side of Cutter Trail, a black diamond trail known for its challenging terrain. Despite wearing a helmet, Kemp suffered severe head trauma.
Immediately after the accident, ski patrol and paramedics were dispatched to the scene. Kemp was first taken to the Berkshire Medical Center and later transferred to Baystate Medical Center for further treatment. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, Kemp succumbed to his injuries and was declared dead on Tuesday.
The District Attorney’s Office confirmed that Kemp was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. They also clarified that there was no evidence to suggest that drugs or alcohol were involved in the incident.
Kemp, a dedicated 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.
Dusty Lopez, Kemp’s cross-country coach, 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.