Body Recovered at Franconia Falls

LINCOLN, New Hampshire – On Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at approximately 3:56 p.m., New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol received a call for a person trapped/medical emergency at Franconia Falls; an area on the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River in the White Mountain National Forest.  Marine Patrol, New Hampshire Fish and Game, Lincoln Fire Rescue, Lincoln Police and Linwood Ambulance responded to the scene.

Initial investigation revealed a family of five from Lynn, MA and one friend from Salem, MA hiked to Franconia Falls.  While at the falls, the family’s 10-year-old son fell in the water requiring other family members to enter the pools to assist.  The family was able to rescue the 10-year-old, but two other family members became trapped in the rocks and current.

Ultimately one of the two additional victims, an 18-year-old male, was freed from the water by family.  He sustained injuries and was transported to Littleton Hospital in Littleton.  The mother of the family, a 44-year-old female, was located in the water below the falls and despite resuscitation efforts by family members was pronounced deceased.  An autopsy is scheduled, and the names of the parties involved are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

This is an ongoing investigation, but alcohol and drugs do not appear to be a factor.  Marine Patrol is asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has additional details, to contact New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol Sergeant Joshua Dirth at (603) 227-2115 or Joshua.E.Dirth@dos.nh.gov, or call State Police dispatch at (603) 846-3333.