Another Clemson student death occurred after a 20-year-old Clemson University student from North Carolina died on Monday as he fell from the radar platform area of a cruise ship. The Clemson student death happened by the end of a voyage to reward young entrepreneurs, the Miami Dade Police Department said.
According to the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner's Office, Kendall Wernet, a student from Asheville, N.C., suburb of Arden, died around 8:30 a.m. ET on Monday.
He was the second Clemson student death in the past week, reports USA Today.
The first student who died in the past week was Tucker Hipps. His body was reportedly found in Lake Hartwell, which adjoins campus, on Sept. 22. The Clemson student death occurred after a fraternity run, and still remains under investigation.
In Wernet's case, police did not find evidence of foul play, according to officials with the Oconee County Sheriff's Department.
Apparently, Wernet went into an area which was restricted, said Carnival officials. He reportedly climbed over the "Carnival Ecstasy's" forward mast, before he fell and landed on a deck below, said Carnival Cruise Line officials.
The ship's medical crew performed initial treatment on the 20-year-old's injuries until he could be transferred to a medical facility. However, the Clemson student death still happened after Wernet was taken to a South Florida hospital, where he was pronounced dead from a blunt-trauma head injury.
Wernet had reportedly been on an awards cruise for Macomb, Mich.-based Student Painters, the company's owner, Steve Acorn, stated on Tuesday.
Before the tragic Clemson student death, a group of five or six students climbed up on the platform while the Carnival Ecstasy returned to port after finishing a three-day cruise, reports The State.
"They had seen a group up there the night before and thought it would be a good idea to go there at about 5 a.m. to see the sun rise over Miami," said Acorn.
He added that no alcohol was involved in the events leading up to the Clemson student death.
Acorn said the group was "up there talking ... and the radar system went on. Based on where you were standing, it caught Kendall and threw him down."
A propeller caught Wernet and afterwards he fell about 20 feet, which is equivalent to two decks of the ship, said Miami-Dade County police.
"Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends, and we stand ready to help them through this difficult time," said Dean Shannon Finning of Clemson.
The cruise line also offered its condolences after the Clemson student death, according to WBTW.
A release from the cruise said, "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time."
Meanwhile, as if in premonition of the Clemson student death, Wernet posted a reflection on the "The Driven Vision" website regarding the death of comedian Robin Williams.
Wernet said in the statement prior to the tragic Clemson student death.
"This got me thinking: How will the world react when I die? Will my face be on the news? Will people say it was a terrible occurrence? What will they remember about me?
Ask yourself these same questions.
Suddenly, you start to get this weird feeling inside of you that makes you question what you are doing with your life. Because, the truth is that we all want to make a difference and leave a mark on this world. We want to be remembered."
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