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

A college student horrifically lost his life while skiing on a Massachusetts mountain's most challenging trail.

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

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

'Our thoughts and hearts are with his family, his high school teammates and coaches and everyone else wo was lucky enough to know Alex,' Dusty Lopez, Kemp's cross-country coach, said in a statement shared by their university.

Police received a 911 call at around 2:39 pm Monday afternoon informing them of an accident that took place on the left side of the Cutter Trail. 

The Cutter Trail - a 643-foot black diamond ski run trail - is considered the 'most difficult' course for expert skiers, according to a Jiminy Peak trail map.

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

Ski patrol were immediately dispatched to the scene upon hearing of the accident.

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

According to the District Attorney's Office, there was 'no indication that drugs or alcohol were involved in the incident.' 

Despite wearing a helmet, Kemp's injuries proved to be too severe, and he heartbreakingly died the very next day.

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

He originally came to Massachusetts after he was recruited to the cross-country team straight out of Christian Brothers Academy - a private, all-boys preparatory Catholic high school in New Jersey.

The avid runner's untimely death left those who knew him with a heavy heart, including his coach who divulged that he instantly became a beloved and important member of the team due to his talent and incredible personality.

'Alex had a self-assured, positive, king way about him and it was consistent everyday,' Lopez added in the school's statement. 

'This made him such a valuable member of our team, even in his first year - above and beyond his obvious gifts as an athlete. He loved being at Williams, being part of our team and he always knew how to bring others along with him.'

Right when he settled down as a runner in Massachusetts, he placed among all first-year's NCAA championships.

He was described to be a guy who never shielded away from a challenge. 

'Alex was fearless and incredibly motivated as a runner, both in training and competition,' Lopez added. '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.'

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

'Alex was one of the strongest students I've taught in 21 years at the college,' Love shared in the statement. 'Economics seemed to come naturally to him and he took an obvious joy in learning.'

His life in high school highlighted what his future potential may have been if it wasn't cut too short.

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

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

Food drives, Little League and his school's investment club are just some other things that Kemp took part in during his short 19-year life.

Kemp's own words in his moving and emotional college application essay concluded by saying: 'Everyone needs someone to root for them and to remind them to always root for themselves'.

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

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

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

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

Ski patrol crews immediately began preforming CPR and brought him down 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 in the hospital. 

'He was skiing on a trail that was well within his ability. He was wearing his helmet and safety gear,' his father Paul Murray told WCVB.

'Just kind of a one-in-a-million accident that, unfortunately, cut his life too short.'

Jack was a seventh grader at Chapman Middle School who loved the arts and playing drums in the school band. 

His family described the boy as a loving older brother with an infectious laugh and 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 greatest 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 them that regularly) and he knew how much he was loved back. Jack's absence will leave a hole in the hearts of everyone who knew him and the entire Weymouth community.'