Midshipman Dies On Naval Academy Campus
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) ―
The Naval Academy family is deeply saddened by the loss of a female Fourth Class Midshipman.
The midshipman was found by her roommates unconscious and not breathing in her bed late Monday morning.
Emergency personnel responded to the scene and rushed the midshipman to Anne Arundel Medical Center where she was later pronounced dead at 12:46 p.m.
The circumstances surrounding the cause of death are under review, however, foul play is not suspected.
"The Naval Academy is deeply saddened by this sudden and tragic loss. Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to this midshipman's family," said Naval Academy Superintendent, Vice Adm. Jeffrey L. Fowler.
The identification of the Midshipman is being withheld until 24 hours after the next of kin have been notified.
It is unfortunate that events like this have to put a damper on the happiness of the end of the school year and commissioning. Prayers go out to her family.
This really hit my mother's heart. I was back at USNA from April 23-28th...One of the things I did on this trip that I had never done before was walk through the USNA cemetary. It was a very moving experience. A historical journey. I noticed a tombstone that listed a female name, a Star of David carved at the top and the words: "beloved 3/c midshipman." This was dated a few years ago. I later asked the wife of a classmate of my husband's. She is a tour guide at USNA. She said that once in a while, a mid simply dies in sleep. That is what happened to that girl.
So my mother's heart aches for this current Plebe family. Perhaps they were all just ready to travel for Plebe Parent activities and were all eager to reunite. What a blow to the parents and family!
My daughter knew of the young lady - and the company she was in - she herself saw the medical personnell running at top speed into the room that this occurred in.
I also grieve for those mid roommates - to have to face this in the course of their day - this will be an experience that will shape them forever.
The U.S. Naval Academy has released the name of a midshipman who was found unconscious in her room and pronounced dead a short time later.
Kristen Dickmann, 19, was found by classmates in her bed at the service academy's Bancroft Hall on Monday morning. Dickmann, of Kennett Square, Pa., was taken by emergency personnel to Anne Arundel Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
The academy says the circumstances of her death are under review.
Perhaps the academy needs to function more like the fleet when tragedy ocurrs and shut down all communications until the family is notified.
This is a grievous error on someone's part. IMO - it should float all the way to the top.
In the fleet, all phones go through the ship's communication system. Very easy to turn off all communications with the outside world. This cannot be done with cell phones. There was absolutely nothing to prevent a teammember to pick up her phone and call her mother. Actually, it probably should be expected. Welcome to the 21st century.
They certainly can instruct the mids at the academy not to discuss the tragedy with anyone on the outside until the next of kin is notified.
Seems like common sense to me.
