Mother's Fatal Fall at Purgatory Chasm Exposes Trail Dangers

Tejal Somvanshi

A Massachusetts mother tragically fell 50-75 feet to her death while hiking with her children at Purgatory Chasm State Reservation on April 23.

Photo Credits : Timothy Valentine (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

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What started as a family hike turned deadly when Carolyn Sanger reportedly lost her footing on the challenging terrain.

Photo Credits: Joe Shlabotnik (CC BY 2.0)

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Medical professionals who happened to be at the scene provided immediate aid, but sadly couldn't save her.

Photo Credits: Roman Apaza (Pexels)

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The investigation determined the fall was accidental, with no foul play suspected according to the Worcester County District Attorney.

Photo Source: GlacierNPS (PDM 1.0)

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Purgatory Chasm features a treacherous 1.5-mile loop with narrow rock scrambles and steep 70-foot drop-offs that few news outlets have detailed.

Photo Credits: Joshua Tree National Park (PDM 1.0)

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Did you know the chasm was carved by post-glacial floodwaters, creating unstable sandstone overhangs and loose scree that can shift underfoot?

Photo Credits: James St. John (CC BY 2.0)

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This isn't the first tragedy at the location – a similar fatal fall in 2012 prompted a safety-signage review, yet current warnings may still be insufficient.

Photo Source: GlacierNPS (PDM 1.0)

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Community support has been overwhelming – the GoFundMe set up for Sanger's family initially aimed for $22,000 but soared past $80,000 by Thursday evening.

Photo Source: Dale E. Martin (CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Friends remembered Sanger as a "bright light" whose wellness business was scheduled to open next month.

Photo Credits: Amanda (CC BY-ND 2.0)

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Hiking deaths are more common than many realize – between 2014-2019, hiking accounted for 255 deaths in U.S. National Parks, second only to vehicle crashes.

Photo Credits: Troy B. Thompson (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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How could this tragedy have been prevented? Experts recommend researching terrain, checking weather forecasts, wearing proper footwear, and carrying emergency equipment.

Photo Source: BLM – Utah (PDM 1.0)

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Park officials have yet to announce whether they'll conduct a renewed safety audit of cliff edges and signage following this incident.

Photo Source: BLM – Utah (PDM 1.0)

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Falls remain the leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in the U.S., claiming over 44,600 lives in 2022 alone – a sobering reminder for all outdoor enthusiasts.

Photo Source: GlacierNPS (PDM 1.0)

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Local officials extended condolences while a family friend emphasized the fall "appears to have been a simple trip" on a known "scarier part of the trail."

Photo Source: Alejandra Montenegro (Pexels)

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Balancing adventure with safety remains the crucial challenge for hikers exploring demanding natural formations like Purgatory Chasm.

Photo Source: Dale E. Martin (CC BY-SA 3.0)

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