Tragic Death of Cal Poly Student in Big Sur Fall
A third-year mechanical engineering student from California Polytechnic State University, Kenneth Taylor, met a tragic end during a trip to Big Sur. The 21-year-old, described as having a “passion for adventure,” fell to his death at the base of a 120-foot waterfall along California’s rugged coast.
Emergency responders discovered Taylor’s body around 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, with authorities ruling out foul play. The San Luis Obispo County sheriff’s department confirmed that it was a climbing accident.
Cal Poly University President Jeffery D. Armstrong and Vice President for Student Affairs Keith B. Humphrey released a joint statement mourning Taylor’s passing. They remembered him as a kind and outdoor enthusiast, with unmatched technical skill and a contagious passion for adventure.
Taylor was involved in various outdoor activities on campus, including being a founding member of the Alpine Club and a trip leader for ASI Poly Escapes. The university is offering mental health counseling to students and staff in the wake of this tragic incident.
The Cal Poly community is left mourning the loss of a bright and adventurous student, whose memory will live on through his love for the outdoors and his kindness towards others.
