Lynn mother and wife of Everett police lieutenant drowns while trying to save son in New Hampshire
A mother who drowned while trying to save one of her children from the water at Franconia Falls in New Hampshire on Tuesday afternoon was a resident of Lynn and the wife of an Everett Police Department lieutenant, officials said.
Melissa Bagley, 44, died during a family outing in the area of the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River in the White Mountain National Forest, Everett police announced in a Facebook post. She was the wife of Lt. Sean Bagley.
“The Everett Police Department is sad to report the sudden passing of Melissa Bagley,” officials wrote in the post. “Melissa drowned while trying to aid one of her children who slipped into the river.”
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department learned of a hiker who had possibly drowned near Franconia Falls in Lincoln around 4 p.m. and requested assistance from the Lincoln Fire Department, according to Fish and Game and New Hampshire State Police.
As emergency crews on ATVs made their way into the Falls, they were greeted by another hiker who was running out to the Lincoln Woods trailhead to find help, officials said. That hiker was able to provide an exact location for the individual who was in distress.
When rescue teams arrived at the location, they found Melissa dead at the scene. Two other people were found suffering from non-life-threatening injuries.
An investigation revealed that the family of six, from Lynn, and a friend, had arrived at the Lincoln Woods trailhead around 1 p.m. with plans to hike to Franconia Falls, according to officials. When they completed the hike, Melissa’s 10-year-old boy slipped and fell into one of the pools at the Falls as they prepared to go for a swim.
The child, trapped in the fast and circulating current of the pool, was unable to get out and Melissa jumped in to help. Melissa encountered trouble as well, prompting two of her other children to jump into the water.
Melissa was later found unresponsive on a rock by her husband, Sean, who performed CPR, but she was unable to be revived.
Sean, however, was able to rescue his children, two of whom were trapped by boulders.
Melissa was carried out to the trailhead and picked up by Mayhew Funeral Home.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Lynn Mayor Jared C. Nicholson pledged support for the Bagley family as they navigate this tragedy.
“The Mayor’s Office is deeply saddened to learn today of this unspeakable tragedy,” the spokesperson said. “We will be here to provide whatever support we can to the family in this extremely challenging time.”
Several communities are showing a huge outpouring of support for this family including city and town officials.
“As a parent, I know that there is nothing that any parent wouldn’t do for their child. Melissa did everything she could to protect her children and her family,” Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria said in a statement.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family pay for funeral costs.
An investigation remains ongoing.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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