Tragic accident claims life of college athlete on ski resort's toughest slope

A 19-year-old college student died on Tuesday in Massachusetts after a skiing accident.

On Monday at the Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Hancock, Massachusetts, Alex Kemp, a Williams College freshman from New Jersey, experienced an incident while skiing, according to the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office.

At 2:39 p.m. on Monday, officials received a 911 call regarding an accident that occurred on the left side of Cutter Trail.

According to the release, Mr. Kemp suffered significant head trauma after falling over an embankment, as indicated by the caller.

Kemp was immediately transported to the Berkshire Medical Center after being injured in a skiing accident. Despite the efforts of paramedics, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on Tuesday.

The District Attorney's Office stated that Kemp was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident and there is no evidence of drug or alcohol involvement in the incident.

According to a Jiminy Peak trail map, the Cutter Trail is a black diamond trail labeled "most difficult" and is intended for expert skiers.

Williams College recruited Kemp, an avid runner, from Christian Brothers Academy in New Jersey to join their cross-country team, according to university president Maud Mandel in a statement on Wednesday.

Dusty Lopez, Alex's cross-country coach, stated in the university's release that Alex was fearless and highly motivated as a runner, both during training and competition. Despite not having his best day, Alex took genuine pleasure and pride in seeing his teammates excel.

Lopez stated, "Our thoughts and hearts are with Alex's family, high school teammates and coaches, as well as everyone else who had the privilege of knowing him."

The student, who was late, also aimed to earn a doctorate in computer science and was studying political science and economics.

In 21 years of teaching at the college, Dukes Love, an economics professor, stated that Alex was one of the strongest students he had taught.

In high school, Kemp frequently volunteered, including at a camp where he assisted children with disabilities in learning to ride adaptable bikes as a means of enhancing their autonomy.

In his college application essay, Kemp stated that it is essential to have someone who supports and encourages you to believe in yourself.

"Numerous individuals who knew him described his spirit in that manner," concluded Mandel in the university's statement.