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Williams College student dies in Swiss Alps avalanche

E-mail|Link June 8, 2010 12:42 PM

By Stefanie Geisler, Globe Correspondent

A 20-year-old Williams College student was killed and another injured in an avalanche in the Swiss Alps this weekend, according to school officials.

Henry Lo of Franklin, N.Y., and Amy Nolan, also 20, of Williamstown, were on a weekend hiking trip in the Alps Sunday when they were hit by snow, ice, and rocks, Williams College President Adam Falk said Monday in a statement. Lo was swept to his death and Nolan received a blow to her head, Falk said.

"Swiss rescuers responded quickly, retrieving Henry's body and taking Amy by helicopter to a hospital in Bern," Falk said.

Lo and Nolan were members of the Williams-Exeter Program, a year-long study abroad program at Oxford University, according to the school. They were among seven Williams students and two Oxford students who went on the hiking trip Sunday, Falk said.

The other hikers were not injured, Falk said.

Lo and Nolan were both juniors.

"At this profoundly sad moment, our hearts are first with Henry's family for their sudden and devastating loss," he said. "As a parent, I can't imagine the effect of such an occurrence."

Lo was a math and religion major, according to the school.

"You made such a huge impression on all of us in less than a year – we all wish we could spend more time with you, get to know you even better," members of the Program wrote in a tribute to Lo. "We can't believe you've been taken from us."

Services have not yet been announced, Falk said.

Nolan did not lose consciousness in the incident, Falk said. She received an operation Monday and appears to be in good condition, he said.

Nolan's father, James Nolan Jr., is a sociology professor at Williams.