Niagara Parks police release information on waterfall jumper

From the BNO Newsroom.

Niagara Park, CANADA (BNO NEWS) -- Niagara Parks rescue services were dispatched to the Horseshoe Falls on Wednesday, which is on the Canadian side of the Niagara Falls, after a male jumped from it and miraculously survived. The Horseshoe Falls is one of the world's most popular tourist attractions and sends about 675,000 gallons of water over its edge per second.

Police Chief Douglas Kane said they received a 911 call at 2.11 p.m. local time after a visitor observed a male climb over the retaining wall south of the Horseshoe Falls and entered the rapids above the brink.

According to Kane, the male is believed to be in his late thirties and visitors observed the male fall down the waterfall and then travel down the river below in the area of the Ontario Power Generating building (OPG).

Members of the Niagara Parks Police and their High Angle River Team, and the Niagara Falls Fire Department were immediately dispatched in an attempt to rescue the male. When rescue workers arrived at the scene, the male refused any assistance and continued to swim further into the center of the Niagara River.

Rescue workers were later able to push the male back near the shore with the assistance of Niagara helicopters. After he was closer to the shore, Kane says, a Niagara Falls firefighter who was on a tether and wearing an ice commander dry suit, entered the water and took control of the male.

The male was transported to the Niagara General Hospital for treatment of his injuries which he sustained during the incident. Kane said he is suffering from signs of hypothermia and a head injury. His motive remains unclear at this time and his actions may actually result in a severe fine or even jail time as a result.

Decades ago, daredevils would tempt fate and go over the Horseshoe Falls in barrels or other protective devices -- often without much luck. It has since been outlawed and is now considered a criminal act.

"This was a great demonstration of teamwork between the Niagara Parks Police, the Niagara Falls Fire Department, Niagara Helicopters and the Niagara Emergency Medical Service, where practice paid off." Kane said. "The male is fortunate to have survived, after going over the falls and remaining in the icy water for approximately 45 minutes," he added.

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