Man becomes 3rd to survive plunge at Niagara Falls

[Faygo Kid]

Source: Associated Press

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- A man plunged at least 180 feet over Niagara Falls and survived - only the third person known to have gone over without a safety device and live.

Niagara Parks Police say witnesses reported seeing the man climb over a railing at 10:20 a.m. Monday and "deliberately jump" into the Niagara River 20 to 30 feet above the Horseshoe Falls. He surfaced in the lower Niagara River basin near the Journey Behind the Falls observation platform.

Horseshoe Falls, on the Canadian side of the river, is the tallest of the three main falls, higher than the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls.

The man, believed to be in his early 40s, was rescued about two hours after he collapsed in waist-deep water near the rocky shore. A waiting helicopter flew him to a hospital for treatment of what police said were life-threatening injuries. Police did not identify him. . .

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_NIAGARA_FALLS_RESCUE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-05-21-15-46-12

---

Don't know if he's going to make it, but all the best. Definitely not a good career move. Rescue operation:

?2

[longship]

1. And the railing at the Horseshoes is feet from the water just above the plunge.

It is an incredible sight, with awesome perspective. Unfortunately, it may be a temptation for those who either want to do away with themselves, or mistakenly think they are unbreakable.

I love Niagra from the Canadian side. It has all the really cool adventures. Yes, they cost money, but well worth it. (No, I am much too acrophobic to do the Whirlpool Cablecar. But the Cave of the Winds, the rapids boardwalk, and the Maid of the Mist are incredible.)

Best, is Niagara at night, or incredibly, in Winter.

Thanks for the post from a life long Michigander. (day trip from Niagara)

[bluerum]

2. Yes - the colored lights in the mist and the ice in winter is awe inspiring.

That jumper is probably suffering from hypothermia. The water is still cold this time of yeat.

On edit - thanks from an ex-buffalonian.

[longship]

7. Myself, a Detroiter. Class of 66, Cooley High School, Detroit.

[bluerum]

9. I grew up in the rochester area.

Went to college in and lived in Buffalo for a while. Used ride up to falls frequently.

[HereSince1628]

5. Yes, I've stood thare and experienced that strangly beautiful mix of terrifying and "mist"ifying

[Faygo Kid]

3. And this lifelong Michigander returns the thanks.

Transplanted in DC, but three years MAX until I return home and retire to Traverse City, the land of beauty, bounty and good friends. Hopefully hang there for a few years watching sunsets over West Grand Traverse Bay while sipping a glass at one of the fine wineries on Old Mission Peninsula.

[TahitiNut]

4. I wonder why they use "Cider House Rules" theme music.

The movie was set in Maine, not Michigan. Traverse City is nice ... but far too GOPish for me.

[Faygo Kid]

8. Good enough for Michael Moore, good enough for me.

It's GOP, but not the haters, mostly. Plus, they could use a good bracing dose of liberalism, and I promise to provide that.

Have met Michael a number of times around town. Looking forward to meeting Mario Batali there, too. And having him invite us over to the Leelanau Peninsula for dinner.

[Ruby the Liberal]

6. I don't get how anyone could stand at the Falls and think "jump"

The sheer volume and speed of the water is mind blowing. It will take your breath away just standing there. I can't even imagine what it must feel like to be actually *in* it. That must be terrifying.

[midnight armadillo]

10. The French have a phrase.

L'appel du vide - the call of the void.

[Ruby the Liberal]

12. Void, I get (well, sorta - I get the concept)

but having your last few moments be unmitigated, sheer terror? That just doesn't compute for me.

[thatgemguy]

11. There last week

My wife and I were at Niagara Falls last week, we came home on Friday. It's close enough so we travel there at least once a year. Niagara Falls is such a beautiful place, however, when you witness the power of the Falls it's hard to imagine someone would choose to jump in the river above the Falls.

We go because people on the Canadian side are so cordial and friendly. We went this time to obtain prescriptions for my wife, as she is laid off from work with no health insurance, and needs maintenance drugs for a chronic condition. Even with having to see a Canadian physician, the cost savings were enough to pay for the trip and then some.

We've noticed that since the US put the passport requirements on returning to the States, tourism is down there. That and many of the guards at the US border crossing have an attitude problem.

The exchange rate is not as favorable anymore either as the Canadian dollar is now worth more than the US Dollar.

[Retrograde]

13. I've found the US immigration people more polite than the Canadians

The Canadian border people always seem bewildered that someone would come from California just to cross the border for a few hours. I actually got "You came all the way here just to see a play???" from a Canadian official (yeah, just because the Shaw Festival at Niagara on the Lake has an international reputation you're surprised that US citizens from the West Coast make a detour to see it?). The US officials just wave me past.

I can see how someone would want to jump in - an earlier poster mentioned the call of the void. It's compelling: luckily, while walking across the Rainbow Bridge last summer I was more concerned with not losing my hat.