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WEST POINT, N.Y. – Chris Morgan of West Orange was killed in an accident at West Point on Thursday, confirmed Cadet's father Friday.
A West Point cadet loaded vehicle in summer training overturned on rugged, wooded terrain, killing Morgan, 22, and injuring several others. The tactical vehicle used by two soldiers overturned around 6:45 am while he was heading to a land navigation site as part of normal cadet training in the summer, said Lieutenant-General Darryl A. Williams, Superintendent of West Point.
Morgan was an outstanding wrestler for West Orange High School and continued to struggle while he was at West Point. He was a member of the 2020 category and graduated from West Orange in 2015. He finished fifth in the 182 pound class at the 2015 National Wrestling Championship after a season with a 30-1 record with 20 pins.
"It makes everyone proud," West Orange coach Stephan Zichella told NJ Advance Media after Morgan's participation in the Essex County Tournament in January 2015. "Everybody sees how much he's is impressive on the carpet, but what impresses us on a daily basis is working and what kind of model he is.He is kind.He shakes everyone's hand with both hands.He is just a wonderful kid and he had a beautiful career. "
West Point cadet killed and 21 injured in crash
The West Point accident occurred near Camp Natural Bridge, a summer training area for cadets.
West Essex coach Greg Ruggiero told NJ Advance Media at the same tournament that Morgan was "a true gentleman, and he's the kind of guy who would do anything to say hello to anyone." what he has accomplished is deserved. "
Brandon Edwards, a high school friend, said Morgan was a great person who worked hard and made everyone around him smile. The two men met at football at West Orange High School.
"Even if he did not know you, he would greet you in the hallway," Edwards said in a telephone interview on Friday morning. "He'll stop to talk to you, make sure you have a good day, and if he does not, he'll do everything in his power to make that frown smile."
Morgan was a great role model for him in high school. Morgan acted as Edwards' big brother, inviting him to join the West Orange JROTC program. "I'm grateful to have met him. I am grateful to have joined this program. I just saw how the ROTC was changing his life and I thought it might change mine, "he said.
Morgan was passionate about wrestling and football in high school, Edwards said.
"He has been excellent in everything he's done, from sports to school work. He always wanted to be the best, "said Edwards, who added that Morgan was known as Chicago at school, after the city he was born in." He did not even graduate from West Point. He had so many things that he wanted to do in life and things stopped. "
"We are annihilated by the news of Chris's death. He was a talented, hard-working and determined athlete who loved his sport, "said Kevin Ward, West Point Wrestling Army Coach. "Chris had a contagious personality with a smile big enough to fill any room and a heart big enough to love everyone around him. He has made the world better around him and he will be sorely missed.
Two soldiers were also injured in the accident, along with 19 2020 promotion cadets. Williams said that no injuries were putting his life in danger. Injuries include broken arms and abrasions in the face, said a West Point hospital official.
The Cadet Corps will be holding a vigil to honor Morgan tonight. A commemorative ceremony for the West Point community and a private funeral service will be held at the academy next week.
"It is not common for these vehicles to turn around. It's a very rugged terrain, "Williams told reporters at a press briefing near the crash site on Thursday afternoon. "You can see the hills we have here."
WNBC helicopter footage showed a truck that spilled into a wooded area.
The investigation continues, Williams said, and "we do not know how the accident actually happened."
The "Light Medium Tactical Vehicle" that rocked has a payload of 5 tons and an extended bed, according to West Point. According to an Army Technical Bulletin, this class of vehicles has a capacity of 20 passengers, not counting those in the cabin.
It was not clear if all the cadets were aboard the vehicle as opposed to the neighbor, said Academy spokesman, Lt. Col. Christopher Ophardt.
President Donald Trump tweeted Thursday afternoon: "I am really sorry to learn the terrible accident involving our GREAT West Point cadets. We mourn the loss of life and pray for the wounded. God bless them all! "
Classes ended at West Point last month, but the academy runs summer military training exercises for cadets in heavily wooded hills outside the main gates. The rollover occurred on a fire road while the vehicle was leaving Camp Natural Bridge, where trainees live during the summer, Ophardt said.
West Point lies on the Hudson River about 50 miles north of New York.
It was the second cadet's death at West Point this year. Cadet Peter Zhu died in February after a skiing accident.
This post contains elements from the Associated Press.
Matthew Stanmyre can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @MattStanmyre. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Sophie Nieto-Munoz can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her to @snietomunoz. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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