Binghamton University student from Long Island dies in hiking accident
Andrew Desiderio, a 21-year-old senior mechanical engineering major at SUNY Binghamton, died on Monday, according to a notification posted on the university website. Credit: Mineola Fire Department
A Binghamton University student from Long Island has died in a hiking accident.
The student, Andrew Desiderio, a 21-year-old senior mechanical engineering major, died on Monday, according to a notification posted on the university website.
Further details about the circumstances of the accident, such as where it occurred and what happened, were not disclosed.
A GoFundMe webpage set up to raise money for a scholarship in Desiderio's memory said he was due to graduate in May, was chief engineer for the Binghamton Motorsports SAE Formula Car Team, and was a volunteer firefighter. He grew up in Williston Park and was a Boy Scout with Troop 45 in Mineola, according to the page.
"Scouting led Andrew to a love of camping and outdoor adventures. In 2015 he and a crew of T45 Scouts traveled through Colorado and hiked Philmont — 80+ miles through the mountains of New Mexico. From that time he vowed to go back west and explore," the page said.
"Even as a young boy, Andrew loved to create and build things. His mind was always working on plans and ideas," the page said.
Desiderio joined the village fire department's junior program as a teenager, in 2013, according to Robert Connolly, the department’s immediate past chief.
A note from the department memorialized Desiderio.
"When Andrew was home, he was always on the move. He started a band and a detailing company that he was just kicking back up for the summer. Around the firehouse Andrew would pitch in wherever needed. Filling in for members on leader duty, jumping into the kitchen to help cook ... writing the company newsletter and much more."
The note added: that his "other passion though was going on outdoor adventures. During the summer you could find him at the beach either fishing or boating, he tried to go mountain biking whenever the weather allowed, and he loved to go hiking."
About 30% of Binghamton University students are from Long Island, according to the university website.
As of Friday night, the GoFundMe page had raised $70,721, exceeding the original goal of $10,000 goal, from 789 donors.
Desiderio's family did not return messages left Friday.
Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.
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