Woman dies after falling from cliff while hiking at Massachusetts state park
Woman dies after falling from cliff while hiking at Massachusetts state park
A Massachusetts woman died while hiking with three of her children after she fell down a cliff on April 23, police said.
According to a press release from the Sutton Police Department, the incident happened at the Purgatory Chasm State Reservation in Sutton, Massachusetts, some 40 miles southwest of Boston.
Police said they were called to the area after receiving reports of a woman who fell down a cliff around 50 to 75 feet high.
"There were multiple medical professionals in the area hiking the Chasm at the same time, and were able to provide medical attention right away. However, she had succumbed to the injuries sustained during the fall, and was pronounced deceased a short time later," police said.
According to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, part of the USA TODAY Network, the woman was identified by authorities as 49-year-old Carolyn Sanger.
In the press release, police said they believe the fall to be accidental but have an active investigation into Sanger's death.
"Lastly, the Sutton Police Department would like to extend our condolences to the family during this very difficult time," police said.
Who was Carolyn Sanger?
Sanger, a mother of four, lived in Topsfield, Massachusetts, around 20 miles north of Boston.
According to NBC 10 Boston, she was the owner of a massage, yoga and Reiki studio. Members of the community who knew Sanger remembered her as a positive influence in the area.
"She could show up in a room, light up a room and give you a hug and you felt that warmth, she was a safe place, you could talk to her about anything," Jamie Belsito told the NBC 10 Boston.
Sanger was also a regular at Zumi's Espresso, which was right next to her wellness center. Umesh Bhiji, the coffee shop's owner, said Sanger was a wonderful person.
"She was wonderful, very kind-hearted, at Zumi's all the time with her kids, friends, for hours of talk," Bhiji told NBC 10 Boston.
In a GoFundMe set up following Sanger's death, she was remembered as a caring, wonderful mother.
"She was a friend to all and her smile and kind spirit will be greatly missed. She passed too early- but she left the earth doing what she loved, with the ones she loved," the fundraiser's description reads.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
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