A 34-year-old experienced kayaker from Morrisville drowned after her boat capsized in turbulent waters on Vermont’s Lamoille River. Sarah Goldberg was paddling with her friend Maddie Clark on the icy river in Wolcott on Saturday when rough conditions flipped her kayak. She could not escape the overturned vessel and tragically lost her life.

Emergency Response

Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department deputies arrived at the scene shortly before 2 p.m. First responders found Goldberg floating face down in the water. Her kayaking partner attempted to reach her as she drifted unconscious downstream before securing hold of her.

Lamoille County Sheriff Roger Marcoux stated, “What it looks like is [Sarah] got into some turbulent water and ended up out of her kayak upside down, and wasn’t able to swim out of it.” He described the scene as horrific, noting efforts to reach her quickly.

Rescuers performed CPR and transported Goldberg to Copley Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Partner’s Account and Tributes

Maddie Clark, Goldberg’s kayaking companion from Marshfield, confirmed both were seasoned paddlers excited to return to the river after winter. Clark emphasized, “No one is safe from the dangers of cold water and fast currents.”

Social media filled with tributes to the 34-year-old. One user wrote, “So sorry for the family and friends that lost this precious family member.” Another posted, “Sending love and light to all impacted by this.” A third shared, “She was so experienced and the smartest person I knew. She never would have done something if she didn’t think it was 100 percent safe. There is a massive hole in our community right now that nothing will ever fill.”

Kayaking Safety Warnings

Even prepared paddlers face risks on Vermont rivers this season due to lurking hazards. Steven Brownlee, owner of Umiak Outfitters, warned, “There are a lot of lurking dangers out there that we have to be aware of.”

Clark noted they wore proper gear, including life jackets and helmets. Brownlee recommended full-body protection against frostbite in cold conditions, scouting rivers for water levels and currents beforehand, taking emergency classes for novices, and avoiding solo outings during this period.

The incident remains under investigation.