Carolyn ‘Carrie’ Sanger, a mother of four from Topsfield, Massachusetts, died Wednesday after falling from a cliff while hiking with her children at Purgatory Chasm State Reservation, authorities said.
Sanger, 49, was hiking with three of her children and other relatives at the popular Sutton park when she slipped and fell between 50 and 75 feet from a rocky outcrop just after 2 p.m., according to the Sutton Police Department and the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office. Emergency responders, including several medical professionals who were also hiking in the area, provided immediate care, but Sanger was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said the incident appears to be accidental but remains under investigation by state and local authorities. “We offer our condolences to the family and loved ones of the decedent,” a Massachusetts State Police spokesperson said Thursday. Sutton Police Chief Tom Calouro called the loss “tragic” and extended sympathies to Sanger’s family.
Sanger, who lived in Topsfield about 20 miles north of Boston, was remembered by friends and community members as a positive and caring presence. She was the owner of a massage, yoga, and Reiki studio in Topsfield and previously worked as an oncology nurse. “She was an amazing light to the world, really,” friend Mo Levasseur said. “She could show up in a room, light up a room and give you a hug and you felt that warmth,” added Jamie Belsito, who left flowers at Sanger’s business.
Family and friends are rallying to support Sanger’s husband and children in the wake of the tragedy. “She left us too soon, but she departed while doing what she cherished, surrounded by those she loved,” family friend Brooke Paoli said. A GoFundMe raised close to $90,000 for the family at the time of publication.
Purgatory Chasm, known for its dramatic granite walls and rugged trails, is a popular hiking destination but can be hazardous due to steep cliffs and uneven terrain.
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