Mother of Four Dies After Fall During Hike in Massachusetts State Park

A family hike at Purgatory Chasm State Reservation in Sutton, Massachusetts ended in tragedy on Wednesday when Carolyn “Carrie” Sanger, a 49-year-old mother of four, fell to her death.

Sanger, a resident of Topsfield, Massachusetts, was hiking with three of her children when the incident occurred shortly after 2 p.m. According to reports from the Sutton Police Department and the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, she fell an estimated 50 to 75 feet from a cliff within the reservation’s chasm.

Carrie Sanger and her family. Support for the family is welcomed through their GoFundMe.

Emergency responders, including Sutton Police, Massachusetts State Police, Department of Conservation and Recreation Rangers, and other local teams, converged on the scene. Multiple medical professionals who were also hiking in the area at the time were able to provide immediate medical attention. However, Sanger’s injuries proved fatal, and she was pronounced dead a short time later.

Initial indications suggest the fall was accidental, though the incident remains under investigation by state police detectives.

Purgatory Chasm State Reservation is a popular park known for its deep gorge, sheer granite walls, and jumble of rocks and small caves carved by glacial melt. While it offers unique recreational opportunities, the terrain includes significant vertical drops and uneven, potentially slippery surfaces, particularly near the edges of the chasm. Park advisories caution visitors about keeping a safe distance from cliff edges and navigating carefully. Even experienced hikers can face unpredictable conditions, such as sudden slips or loss of balance.

Purgatory Chasm State Reservation. Photo

Carrie Sanger is remembered by loved ones as a kind and dedicated mother. According to social media tributes, she had recently transitioned from a long career as an oncology nurse to pursue her passion for wellness, opening her own business in Topsfield. Sanger’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief in her community, and a GoFundMe has been set up to support her family.