Mom dies after falling from Massachusetts cliff while hiking with her children
A woman hiking with her three teenaged children fell to her death from a cliff at Purgatory Chasm State Reservation in Massachusetts on Wednesday afternoon, according to police.
Shortly after 2 p.m., Massachusetts State Police said troopers responded to reports of a fall at Purgatory Chasm. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Aerial video from sister station WCVB shows rescue crews with a stretcher below a rock cliff.
Sutton Police Chief Tom Calouro said the victim is a 49-year-old mother of four who was hiking with three of her children when she fell 50 to 75 feet from a cliff.
"Tragically, a 49-year-old mother of four from Topsfield fell in the chasm earlier today. She succumbed from her injuries and the crews are there now attempting to retrieve her remains," he said.
The woman killed has been identified as Carolyn Sanger.
"She's an amazing, amazing human," her husband, Michael Sanger, said. "She was the brightness and the light on a dark day for a lot of people."
Michael and Carrie were set to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary in September.
The couple met in college.
On Thursday evening, WCVB spoke to Sanger, who wore one of his wife's shirts, holding close the love they shared.
"The kids and I have been talking about her, printed out some pictures, and telling stories," Sanger said. "Just because she's not physically here doesn't mean she's gone."
Carrie's legacy lives in the community as a long-time oncology nurse. She had just reached her dream of opening a wellness center in her community. already raising more than $90,000 as of Friday morning.
Sutton police said the fall was accidental. The incident is under investigation.
, located about 20 miles south of Worcester, is run by the state's Department of Conservation and Recreation. It's a 1/4-mile-long chasm created by ancient glacial activity with 75-foot-high granite bedrock walls, precipices, cliffs and caves.
Purgatory Chasm is known for its jagged rock formations and it바카라 게임 웹사이트s a draw for families, but people who hike here know it can be dangerous.
"There are trails above the chasm you can go along, dangerous overhangs if you바카라 게임 웹사이트re going to the edge to look down," said hiker Andy Spears. "It's really sad that it had to happen at a place like this."
Purgatory Chasm is a popular hiking spot in warmer weather, but because of treacherous, slippery and wet conditions, it is closed during the winter season.
Police said they regularly respond to calls for minor injuries there and that the death has shaken first responders and other hikers.
"It's not an exaggeration to say that she saved my life," Sanger said. "I had some really dark days and she helped me get into therapy."
Michael shared a message of love through his grief.
"Hug your kids," Sanger said. "Tell the people around you that you love them if you do."