RIDGEWOOD, New Jersey — Investigators from the Army are currently examining the circumstances surrounding the death of an ROTC cadet from New Jersey during training exercises at Fort Knox in Kentucky last week.

Neil Edara, 22, of Ridgewood, joined the ROTC while attending Rutgers University in 2021.

At the time of his death, he was attending cadet summer training as part of of 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp.

Fort Knox officials say Edara became unresponsive last Thursday while conducting Land Navigation Training.

He was evacuated by helicopter to a hospital in Louisville where he was pronounced dead.

“Cadet Edara was among the most dedicated and promising young leaders I have had the honor to know,” stated Lt. Col. Timothy Sorensen, a military science professor at Rutgers University. “His composed demeanor and steadfast dedication to excellence made a significant impression on everyone around him. His passing is a profound loss for the ROTC and Rutgers community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this incredibly challenging period.”

The Ridgewood firefighters issued a statement noting that Edara served as a volunteer EMT with them, and they will remember him as a “calm, kind, and professional colleague and friend.”

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