LINCOLN –– A Massachusetts woman died in a tragic accident at Franconia Falls on Tuesday, August 15, after a family outing turned disastrous.
The victim, identified as 44-year-old Melissa Bagley from Lynn, Massachusetts, drowned in the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River in the White Mountain National Forest after attempting to rescue her 10-year-old son who fell into the water.
According to initial investigations by the New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol, Bagley and her family of five, along with a friend from Salem, Massachusetts, were hiking to Franconia Falls when the incident took place around 3:56 p.m.
When the young boy fell into the water, family members rushed to his aid. While the boy was successfully rescued, Bagley and her 18-year-old son got trapped in the rocks and current.
The teenager was eventually freed from the water by family members and was transported to Littleton Hospital in Littleton with injuries. Despite resuscitation attempts, Bagley was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy is scheduled for Bagley, but authorities have ruled out alcohol and drugs as contributing factors to the incident.
Marine Patrol, in conjunction with New Hampshire Fish and Game, Lincoln Fire Rescue, Lincoln Police, and Linwood Ambulance, responded to the emergency call.
The investigation is ongoing, and Marine Patrol is urging anyone who witnessed the incident or has additional details to contact Sergeant Joshua Dirth at (603) 227-2115.
