Funeral services have been announced for the Lynn, Massachusetts, mother who drowned trying to rescue her 10-year-old son when he was swept away at a popular waterfall in New Hampshire’s White Mountains.
Visitation for Melissa Bagley will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 23, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Solimine Funeral Home in Lynn, the funeral home shared online. Her funeral is scheduled for 10 am Thursday, August 24, at St. John the Evangelist Church in Swampscott.
The 44-year-old woman was with her family and a friend Tuesday afternoon during a trip to Franconia Falls when her 10-year-old son slipped and fell and was unable to escape the rushing current, according to the Department of Game and Fish. from New Hampshire.
Bagley “jumped into the river to help his son and immediately started having trouble,” said Sgt. Heidi Murphy said.
One of Bagley’s other sons jumped in to help but got stuck on rocks and had to be rescued by his father, a Massachusetts police officer, identified by the Everett Police Department as Lt. Sean Bagley.
“While we appreciate everyone who has reached out, we ask that Lt. Bagley and his family have time and space to mourn the passing of Melissa,” the department said in a statement posted on Facebook.
In the days since his death, Bagley has been described by North Shore residents as a devoted wife and “hero” mother who made the ultimate sacrifice for her son.
Franconia Falls, located several miles off the scenic Kancamagus Highway, is a popular hiking destination and swimming hole in the White Mountain National Forest. People can slide off slabs of rock into pools of water, but a website describing New England waterfalls advises that people should “take a moment to observe the turbulence in the pool below the falls to help you assess the risks.” potentials”.
Other people drowned in the falls, including a 38-year-old man in July 2017, a 17-year-old hiker in August 2015, and a 39-year-old man in October 2003.
