Lynn Mother Dies In Attempt To Rescue Son At NH Waterfall

LINCOLN, NH — A Lynn woman is dead after she attempted to save her child at a New Hampshire waterfall, according to a statement from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Two others suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The Massachusetts family of five from Lynn and a friend from Salem arrived at the Lincoln Woods trailhead at 1 p.m. They hiked to Franconia Falls where they intended to take a swim.

One of the children slipped and fell into one of the pools at the falls, according to the statement. He could not get out of the pool as it was a fast, circulating current.

The mother, who has been identified as Melissa Bagley, 44, jumped into the river to help her child and immediately began to have trouble. Two other children jumped into the river to help their brother and mother.

The children were able to get their brother out of the water, but in doing so, another brother became lodged in the boulders and could not escape, according to the statement.

The father was searching for the mother and eventually found her on a rock. He immediately began CPR, but he was unable to revive her. The father was able to pull the son to safety.

Everett police issued a statement on Bagley's death on Wednesday: "While we appreciate all those who have reached out we ask that Lt Bagley and his family be given the time and space to mourn the death of Melissa."

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department responded to an SOS text via 911 at 4 p.m. Tuesday stating that a person was trapped. Another text sent several minutes later reported a possible drowning.

Due to a lack of cell phone coverage in the area, Fish and Game officials requested Lincoln Fire Department respond with UTV. Fish and Game Conservation officers also responded on ATVs.

Responders encountered a hiker who had returned to the Lincoln Woods trailhead to find help and provided more information about where the group was located.

Two of the victims were transported to Littleton Regional Healthcare for further evaluation and treatment by Linwood Ambulance.

The deceased woman was transported to the trailhead and picked up by Mayhew Funeral Home.

The names of the victims are being withheld.