A researcher from the University of Alberta died Thursday when her all-terrain vehicle plunged into a sinkhole on a remote forestry road 60 kilometres southwest of Manning, Alta.

Suzanne Elizabeth Abele, 27, died at the scene. RCMP said she was leading a group of four undergraduate students when she drove into the sinkhole, which was three metres deep and five metres wide.

Staff and students at the University of Alberta are mourning her death.

"Words can't express how devastated we are at this tragic loss," said her graduate supervisor, Ellen MacDonald. "The world is a worse off place without her."

University of Alberta researcher Suzanne Abele was leading a group of students when her ATV dropped into a sinkhole on a forestry road. ((University of Alberta))

John Spence, another graduate supervisor, said the four students, who tried to save her with CPR, are in shock.

"We've been talking with them. I spent probably four hours on the telephone with them yesterday," Spence said. "They're all back in Edmonton now. I think they were as devastated — perhaps more."

Spence said Abele spent Wednesday helping deliver a course for forestry students from Europe.

"I just can't tell you how proud of her I was," he said.

RCMP said Abele had been wearing a helmet and not travelling at high speed on the ATV.

When RCMP Sgt. Tom Howell arrived at the scene to conduct an investigation, he couldn't see the sinkhole until he was nearly on top of it.

"There was no real debris on either side of the hole to indicate there was an issue there," Howell said.

"The lead quad driven by the deceased simply disappeared on the road, according to the other persons that were with her."

RCMP said the road is owned by DMI Forestry. The company was notified about the sinkhole and a crew has been sent to erect barriers.

Alberta Occupational Health and Safety is now investigating.