Teen skiing star dies on ’most difficult’ trail
University student Alex Kemp, 19, suffered traumatic head injuries when he went down a ski trail that is labelled as one of the "most difficult" and only to be undertaken by experts.
A teenage star athlete has been killed in a horror skiing accident after taking on the "most difficult" trail.
Alex Kemp, 19, from New Jersey, had been skiing at the Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Hancock, Massachusetts, on Monday when the accident happened. The Williams College freshman embarked along the left side of Cutter Trail, a black diamond trail named the "most difficult" and only should be attempted by expert skiers.
Ski patrol immediately rushed to the scene and alerted paramedics who attempted to save his life. He had been wearing a helmet at the time of the accident and officials said there was no indication of drugs and alcohol in his system.
The Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement on Wednesday that Alex suffered "significant head trauma" when he went over an embankment. He was taken to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield and was transferred to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.
But despite his best efforts Alex dies as a result of his injuries on Tuesday. "There is no indication that drugs or alcohol were involved in the incident," Julia Sabourin, a spokesperson for the district attorney, according to CBS News. "Jimmy Peak Mountain Resort has cooperated throughout the investigation."
Alex had been a member of his university’s cross country and athletics teams. Williams College President Maud Mandel praised the student and said he was an avid runner.
"Alex was fearless and incredibly motivated as a runner, both in training and competition," Williams cross country coach Dusty Lopez said. "But even when he didn’t have his own best day, he took sincere joy and pride in seeing teammates do well. The team was always his biggest priority.
"Our entire team feels a huge sense of loss and grief at this tragic accident. Our thoughts and hearts are with his family, his high school teammates and coaches, and everyone else who was lucky enough to know Alex."
The student was studying to complete a doctorate in computer science and had been studying political science and economics. Dukes Love, a professor of economics who taught Alex said in a statement: "Alex was one of the strongest students I’ve taught in 21 years at the college."
In his own words penned for his college application, Alex said: "Everyone needs someone to root for them and to remind them to always root for themselves."
Jiminy Peak boasts more than 45 skiing and snowboarding trails that cover 167 acres, according to the resort’s website. Its relative close proximity to New York, Boston and other major cities on the US North East make it a popular destination for many.
