Mother who died in fall at Purgatory Chasm State Reservation in Massachusetts identified
A mother out for a hike with her family died after falling at Purgatory Chasm State reservation in Sutton, Massachusetts on Wednesday afternoon.
Massachusetts State Police said they received reports of a person falling shortly after 2 p.m. She was later identified as 49-year-old Carolyn Sanger, a mother of four from Topsfield. Police said family members were with her at the time, including three of her children.
Fell 50 to 75 feet
Police said it was difficult to get to Sanger because there are rock cliffs on both sides. They estimated she fell between 50 and 75 feet into the chasm.
"It's absolutely tragic," said hiker Alexis Claudio. "I honestly can't even believe something like this would happen—especially so close."
Investigators said one of the family members alerted a ranger, who called police. Emergency responders swarmed the popular trail where they found Sanger dead after falling from one of the rocks.
"We extend our sympathies to the family from this tragic, tragic loss from this fall," said Sutton Police Chief Thomas Calouro.
Hikers say trails can be tricky
Hikers say the chasm trails are clearly marked with signs and colors showing hikers where to go. But it can be tricky, especially close to the edge where there are sharp drops.
"There are trails above the chasm that you can go along and there are some dangerous overhangs there if you're going to the edge to look down, you can definitely slip and go down that way," said hiker Andy Spears.
His family of young Cub Scouts hikes the chasm often, but Spears said being alert and prepared is critical.
In the rocky cliff terrain, it took rescuers hours to get to the mother's body. Now they're trying to understand what happened in the moments before she fell.
"It's really sad to have happened at a place like this," said Spears. "It's one of those things you're always going to wonder what could have been done to prevent it."
The incident remains under investigation.
