By Michael Donoghue - Vermont News First
NORTHFIELD -- Authorities are continuing to investigate the unexpected death of a Norwich University freshman during military training this week.
Cadet Daniel Bermudez of Norwalk, Conn. was undergoing Cold Weather Training on Paine Mountain when he collapsed Wednesday evening, officials said. Bermudez was a member of Bravo Company and a criminal justice major, Norwich said.
Northfield Ambulance was summoned about 6:38 p.m. and rushed Bermudez to Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin, Police Chief Pierre Gomez said.
Rescue personnel provided cardiopulmonary resuscitation at the scene and enroute to the hospital about 13 miles away, officials said. The help continued at the hospital until 8:02 p.m. when Bermudez was pronounced dead, Gomez said.
The death was not reported initially to police. Vermont State Police learned about the death the following morning and alerted Northfield Police, officials said.
Northfield Police Cpl. Michael R. Gero was assigned to the death investigation, the chief said. State police also has offered it resources including a death investigator and the Major Crime Squad.
Gomez said the preliminary investigation has shown no known foul play in the death.
Gomez said he was unsure how many Norwich students were undergoing military training at the time and would need to be interviewed. He referred that question and others about Norwich to the university, which is the oldest private military institution in the nation.
Norwich spokesman Marc Kolb said the university has been keeping the Bermudez family up to date in recent days as the facts are uncovered. He said Norwich would not answer any questions from the public as the family and campus grieve, including how many students were part of the training exercise. Kolb said it was unknown when Norwich would provide its next public update to the community.
Paine Mountain includes land owned by Norwich University and the town of Northfield. It includes about a seven-mile moderately challenging trail through both university land and the Northfield Town Forest.
It was unclear if the Chief Medical Examiner's Office had completed the autopsy or whether they were waiting for lab results, including toxicology and blood tests. An office spokeswoman said Friday afternoon she was unable to provide any information in the case.
Washington County State's Attorney Michelle Donnelly has failed to respond in recent days to inquiries about the death.
Kolb said several hundred Norwich students did attend an on-campus Candlelight Vigil on Thursday night.
Norwich President John J. Broadmeadow in an email to the community did say the community was "heartbroken" by the sudden passing of the Bermudez. He did promise to alert the community when Norwich learned more information regarding funeral services and the Echo Taps ceremony.
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