Clemson Student Dies in Cruise Ship Accident

CLEMSON, S.C. — A Clemson University student fell to his death from the radar deck of a cruise ship in Miami, according to the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office.

Kendall Wernet died of blunt force head trauma, a medical examiner official said.

Wernet was taken to Ryder Trauma Center where he died at 8:24 a.m. on Monday, according to police. Police said no foul play is suspected at this time and their investigation leans toward an accidental death.

Clemson University released this statement about his death:

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of Clemson student Kendall Wernet, a junior management major from Arden, N.C.,” said Clemson University Dean of Students Shannon Finning. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends, and we stand ready to help them through this difficult time.”

Carnival Cruise lines released the following statement on Monday about the accident:

“Earlier this morning as the Carnival Ecstasy was approaching PortMiami, a 20-year-old male guest entered a restricted area and climbed up onto the ship’s forward mast. He subsequently fell and landed on the deck. He was initially treated by the ship’s medical team and later transferred to a local trauma center in Miami. Unfortunately, he has passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time.”

Wernet was on the cruise as part of an awards weekend with the organization Student Painters, a branch of the Young Entrepreneurs Across America. Student Painters director, Steve Acorn, was on the ship, and said that Wernet won his spot on the cruise as a top performer with the organization.

Acorn said Wernet had been a part of the Student Painters for the last three years, as a regional manager and executive. The group fosters leadership and experience, teaching young people how to run small businesses through a house/building painting business.

Acorn described Wernet as the kind of guy anyone would want their daughter to marry. He said the 20 year-old was mature and compassionate, and that everyone who ran across him respected him. Wernet, Acorn said, lead and mentored other students, encouraging them to be their best.

“Everyone that he came around and that he touched really respected him and was just happy that they were working with Kendall because of his great skills, and ability and compassion,” said Acorn.

Four other students were with Wernet when he fell, Acorn said. He explained that the five young men were not drinking or doing drugs, but excited about life and decided they wanted to watch the sunrise over Miami as the ship docked.

It was around 4:30 or 5 a.m. Monday morning that Acorn said the students climbed to a platform on the mast on the front of the ship, where they had seen other people sitting the day before.

Acorn said about 5:30 a.m., the five had been discussing their future goals and plans, talking about management and leadership, when a mechanism on the ship appeared to turn on, and what could have been part of a radar, swung around and hit Wernet. It knocked Wernet down to an ship-deck track, about a twenty feet drop.

Another Clemson student, Chase Lawson, was on the cruise trip with Wernet. He said he had been looking for Wernet when he found the commotion and couldn’t believe it was his good friend who had fallen.

“He’s one of the greatest people I know. So for him to pass so young, is so crazy. He definitely touched a lot of lives,” Lawson said.

Acorn said the cruise medical staff worked on Wernet as he lay unconscious until the ship could dock and an ambulance could take him to the hospital, where he passed away.

Agencies/Canadajournal