Body Recovered from Lamoille River in Wolcott

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Lamoille County Sheriff's Department responded to a 911 call on April 4, 2026 reporting an individual floating face down in the Lamoille River in Wolcott, Vermont. First responders located and removed the individual, who was later identified as 34-year-old Sarah Goldberg of Morrisville. Goldberg was kayaking on the river at the time of the incident and was transported to Copley Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased. The incident remains under investigation.

Why it matters

Outdoor recreation accidents and drownings are a tragic but not uncommon occurrence, especially in rural areas with swift-moving rivers and streams. This incident highlights the importance of water safety and the need for thorough investigations to determine the cause of such incidents.

The details

According to authorities, the Lamoille County Sheriff's Department Communications Center received a 911 call at approximately 1:39 p.m. on April 4, 2026, reporting an individual floating face down in the Lamoille River near Flat Iron Road in Wolcott. Responding agencies included the Lamoille County Sheriff's Department, Wolcott Fire Department, Elmore Fire Department, Hardwick Rescue, and Johnson Fire Department Water Rescue Team. First responders located and removed the individual from the river, who was later identified as 34-year-old Sarah Goldberg of Morrisville. Goldberg was transported to Copley Hospital by Hardwick Rescue, where she was pronounced deceased.

• The 911 call was received at approximately 1:39 p.m. on April 4, 2026.
• Goldberg was pronounced deceased at Copley Hospital.

What’s next

The incident remains under investigation by the Lamoille County Sheriff's Department to determine the exact cause of Goldberg's death.