A 49-year-old woman died after falling off a cliff while hiking with her children at Purgatory Chasm State Reservation in Sutton, Massachusetts, on Wednesday. The victim, identified as Carolyn Sanger of Topsfield, was on a family outing when the accident occurred, according to a press release by the Sutton Police Department.
Authorities said Sanger plunged approximately 50 to 75 feet (15 to 23 meters) into the canyon. The incident happened in a rugged section of the park known for its deep drops and treacherous terrain. Despite the quick response of medical workers who happened to be hiking nearby, Sanger died immediately from the fall.
According to the Associated Press, Sanger was hiking with three of her four children and other family members when the accident occurred.
Although the chasm trail usually closes in winter because of slippery and hazardous conditions, state officials indicated Wednesday’s weather was not wet. The ground, though, remains hazardous with steep overhangs and unstable edges.
“There are paths above the chasm you can follow, and hazardous overhangs if you’re walking out to the edge to peer down,” hiker Andy Spears explained to WCVB-TV.
The tragedy has reignited conversations around hiking safety, particularly in areas with cliffs or exposed drop-offs. Officials are urging hikers to exercise extreme caution, especially when accompanied by children.
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