At 4 a.m. on Tuesday, Niagara Parks Police responded to a call about a man “in crisis” near Horseshoe Falls, the largest waterfall of Niagara Falls.
Police observed the man climb over a barrier on the Canadian side of the falls and plunge 188 feet into the Niagara River.
The police tweeted that they witnessed the victim get swept over the falls. When the police searched the lower river basin, they found the individual sitting on some rocks near the observation deck for the Journey Behind the Falls attraction.
He was later transported to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries, according to Fox News.
This man’s plunge over Niagara Falls occurred exactly 59 years after 7-year-old Roger Woodward became the first known person to be swept over the falls without a barrel.
Since then only a handful of people have survived the trip. Those who have gone over the falls have been classified as stunts and suicide attempts. According to The Buffalo News, two men survived suicide attempts in 2009 and 2012.
There are crisis phones set up near Niagara Falls for people who might find themselves in distress, and help is available 24/7.
While it’s unclear why some people survive the trip and others do not, Mayor Jim Diodati of Niagara Falls, Ontario believes at least this time water levels may have played a part.
“I know firsthand the lake levels are at all-time high levels. When Lake Erie is higher and flowing more robustly to Lake Ontario, there is a better chance of missing the massive boulders under the Horseshoe Falls,” he said. “The only way you would ever have a chance to survive that kind of a fall was to overshoot the large rocks below.”
“In this case, for this individual, hopefully he will see it as a blessing.”
If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
This man is incredibly lucky. I hope he gets the help that he needs.
Share this post on Facebook to pray for him.
