Matthew Cole Obituary, Cause of Death – Motorcycle Accident Kill 21-Year-Old Hartwick College Swimmer
Matthew Cole, 21, a Hartwick College swimming and diving team member from New York, has died following a motorcycle accident. His death has left his family, teammates, coaches, friends and the Hartwick College community mourning the loss of a young athlete who was preparing to begin his senior season.
According to New York State Police, Cole was riding a motorcycle on State Route 8 on Tuesday morning when he veered into the opposite lane and collided with a tractor-trailer. The motorcycle subsequently left the roadway and struck a tree. Cole was pronounced dead at the scene.
Cole was a member of the Hartwick College swimming and diving program, competing in freestyle, butterfly and individual medley events. His final competition came at the Empire 8 Conference Championships in February, where he placed seventh in the men’s 1,650 freestyle with a time of 17:13.26 and eighth in the 200 butterfly with a time of 2:03.31.
His obituary noted that Cole received the Most Improved Swimmer award from the team at the conclusion of the previous season. His progress as an athlete reflected years of dedication to competitive swimming.
Cole began swimming competitively with the Greenfins Swim Club in Wolcott, New York, at the age of nine. He graduated from North Rose-Wolcott High School in 2023 before continuing his education and athletic career at Hartwick College.
Beyond competitive swimming, Cole was passionate about helping younger swimmers. He worked as a lifeguard and director of the summer swim program at North Rose-Wolcott High School, where he enjoyed teaching children how to swim. He also worked as a lifeguard at Fair Haven Beach State Park.
Matthew Cole’s cause of death was the result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. Authorities said the crash occurred when his motorcycle crossed into the other lane and collided with a tractor-trailer before leaving the roadway and striking a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Cole’s death has created a profound loss for the Hartwick swimming community. Teammates and coaches are mourning a young man whose athletic career was still developing and who had been preparing to return for his senior season.
Calling hours for Matthew Cole were scheduled from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at Nelson Funeral Home in Oswego, New York. His family, friends, teammates and members of the swimming community will gather to remember his life and the impact he made during his 21 years.
Matthew Cole will be remembered not only for his achievements in the pool but also for his dedication to teaching young swimmers and his commitment to the people around him. His family, teammates and friends will carry his memory forward as they mourn a life lost far too soon.