Report written by Maddie Clark
On April 4, 2025 two very experienced paddlers met to kayak Vermont’s Class II-III Lamoille River. Sarah Goldburg, 34, had relocated from Colorado, where she had considerable paddling experience, and was running with Maddie Clark, a local boater who was very familiar with the river. They were fully equipped with drysuits, PFD’s, helmets, and other gear.
The trip was uneventful until they reached a three-foot high, river wide ledge above the town of Wolcott. Ms. Clark ran first, turned upstream, and indicated a line to the right of a large boulder. Ms. Goldburg stalled out on her approach, went over the drop without much speed, and flipped in the hole. She made no attempt to roll before bailing out. The backwash, which didn’t look very powerful, held and tumbled her.
Ms. Clark, who was close to shore, hopped out and deployed a rescue bag. Several throws were on target, but Ms. Goldburg did not grab hold. Ms. Clark was beginning an attempt at a swimming rescue when Ms. Goldburg flushed out and washed downstream. Hurrying back to shore, Ms. Clark ran several hundred yards downriver to where the current slowed, calling for help. Then she swam out into the river, pulled Ms. Goldburg to shore, and collapsed.
Fortunately, her cries for help had been heard, and volunteer firefighters rushed to the scene. They began CPR and took Ms. Clark to an ambulance. She was on the edge of respiratory failure and spent the night in the hospital. Efforts to resuscitate Ms. Goldburg were unsuccessful.
We have all had the experience of being caught in holes that were much worse than they looked. These can cause special problems for swimmers. It’s not clear why Ms. Goldburg was unable to help herself after her kayak flipped, but we do know that cold water, especially if inhaled, can have paralyzing effects. Ms. Clark’s rescue efforts were nothing short of heroic; she pushed herself to the limit to rescue her partner. A third paddler might have been helpful, but it certainly would not have guaranteed a successful outcome.
Morrisville woman drowns while kayaking in Lamoille River
By Lucy Caile
Published: Apr. 6, 2026
WOLCOTT, Vt. (WCAX) – The frigid and fast-moving Lamoille River took the life of a kayaker over the weekend. Experts say even experienced and well-prepared people can be at risk on Vermont waterways this time of year.
The Lamoille County Sheriff’s Office said Sarah Goldberg, 34, of Morrisville, was kayaking with a friend in the Lamoille River in Wolcott on Saturday when she reached some rough water and came out of her kayak and drowned.
“What it looks like is got into some turbulent water and ended up out of her kayak upside down and wasn’t able to swim out of it,” Lamoille County Sheriff Roger Marcoux said. “It sounds like a pretty horrific scene where they were trying to get to her as she was floating down the river unconscious, and finally her partner was able to get hold of her.”
Emergency crews started CPR and rushed Goldberg to Copley Hospital but could not save her.