A man survived a 180-foot plunge over Niagara Falls on Monday, becoming only the fourth person to do so without any protective devices, according to news reports.
The man, who has not been identified, climbed over a retaining wall above the Canadian Horseshoe Falls before jumping into the Niagara River and being swept over the falls, according to a report from CNN affiliate CTV.
Thought to be around 40 years old, the man sustained injuries including several broken ribs, a collapsed lung and gashes to his head and shoulders, according to a report in the Buffalo News.
He was pulled to safety by emergency crews on the Canadian side of the river after collapsing in waist-deep water, according to a report from CNN affiliate WGRZ in Buffalo.
"When I first looked at him, it was quite apparent that he was in a state not only of shock, hypothermia had probably started to set in," Sgt. Chris Gallagher of the Niagara Falls Parks Police told WGRZ.
"He just happened to come down the river into an eddy, and that enabled him to get out. If he had been in the main current, he wouldn't have survived," Niagara Falls, Ont., Fire Department platoon chief Dan Orescanin told the News.
The man was in stable condition at Hamilton General Hospital in Ontario on Tuesday morning, according to a report from the CBC.
On Tuesday morning, New York State Park Police said they'd received a report on a second person going over the falls, this time the American Falls, the Buffalo News reported.
Lt. Patrick Moriarty said they were interviewing witnesses and believe it was a suicide attempt, the News reported.
The man who survived on Monday is only the fourth person to survive a plunge over the Horseshoe Falls, historian Paul Gromosiak told the News.
The others include a 30-year-old Canadian man in 2009, a Michigan man in 2003 and a 7-year-old boy in 1960, according to the news reports.
"There are odds that you will survive, but they're so minuscule that it's impossible to comprehend," Gromosiak told the News. "Out of the thousands who have come here to commit suicide over the years, we have two who did survive."
Monday's incident had not yet been labeled a suicide attempt, according to the reports.
That was a waste of medical attention.
To those of you that comment that in Canada it's free medical care. Only for you bums that only take and never give. It's paid for by the people that work and pay tax. Not you freeloaders. Who paid for the rescue? The "taxpayer".
I see you are one of those lucky people who feel the need to put down those less fortunate than yourself. It must be nice to be so perfect. Enjoy your high and mighty life.
Just one more example to prove that GOD will not let you die until he says it's your time.
Yeah,OK.Must be 'time"for the millions of kids dying of disease each year.Great logic there.
Divine intervention saved that man's life. May he recognize this gift of a second chance for what it is and take the necessary steps to become mentally as well as physically healthy. Everyone on this earth has a purpose for their life. I pray he finds his and all reading this find theirs as well. God bless.
You have no evidence of "divine intervention". You're just senselessly blathering your religious delusions. So, I guess your god didn't care about all the others who jumped and didn't survive? Give us a break godbot.
Summer91 says "Everyone on this earth has a purpose for their life". So tell me, what "purpose" do children at the age of 3 with cancer have? What "purpose" do babies that die at birth have? If God is the one in control, why would he/she/it allow things like this to happen?
....Waiting for crazy random cut 'n' paste from the bible.
@ Gumby – The most amazing thing to comprehend is that with all the possibilities that can happen as matter flings and flies around the universe, collisions of atoms and molecules it all adds up to you criticizing summer91. Just ask yourself why you are part of the equation and why not a trillion other possibilities. You are as naive as all the other atheists when it is as plain as that.
@C4N4D14N – A child with cancer at the age of 3 can cause a parent to reach deep into his/her soul and examine how precious life is and find just how much we need God. We can realize how important forgiveness is and know that we would give anything to change places with that beautiful child. Families will draw closer and we will be less likely to take anyone for granted. Hopefully we will come to the realization that if anyone deserves to beauty of eternal life with God that 3 year old does.
If we could really understand all of God's plans. Then would he really be respected as a God. He is a sovereign being. Somethings we understand from the Bible others we wont until we get to heaven. Those who trust in Jesus Christ. However the Bible teaches that all children who die will go to heaven, because they are not of the age of accountability. People suffer not because of God but usually because of the evil deeds of other human beings. God really loves each human being. However we must surrender our lives to him to get to know Him.
Tyler Clementi lives to jump another day.
GOD gave him a second chance
How long have you had your imaginary friend?
The fine is not high enough to keep people from trying it. Its only $500. This thug is going to get more payments for network shows in the neighborhood of $50,000. They need to make the fine $100,000 plus 5 years in prison.
I am from Niagara Falls and if this guy made it after that fall, (especially over the Horseshoe Falls) he was not meant to go. God gives us free will and everyone dies If a person is meant to die then he or she will die. Some people go in their sleep, some go quickly, some go painlessly. Sadly some will go violently, tragically or painfully. Some of us will die as a direct result of choices we make in life such as drugs or violence. Some will die of old age or illness. Obviously this person was not meant to go. Surviving that fall is a miracle. I respect that others don't believe in God but I am sick and tired of the disrespect and hateful things that are said about those of us that do. When your time comes I wonder how you will feel then. I hope you are at peace with yourself and your family. I have tried very hard to not make derogatory comments about any non-believer and a mature adult should be able to have an opposing opinion without being made fun of, cursed out or laughed at. The individuals that do this must have really unhappy lives and seem to need to do this in order to feel better about their decisions in life. Whatever the case may be I hope things get better for you and I am very happy this man survived.
There is a possibility of surviving on the Canadian side. On the American side, there is a pile of boulders at the bottom. It's a dead end.
Well said, Dan, C4N4D14N, and Gumby! You started my day with a good laugh! I'm sure I missed some others but those posts we're spot-on! Thanks for saying it for me 🙂
Wow, these comments turned into Christian/Evangelical preaching very quickly. Isn't there some Christian message board where you can all go share your 'feelings' and 'thoughts' about how 'lucky' you are to have your fantastic 'god' who 'loves' you by... wait by.... hmm that's right – you have no physical evidence that god exists! And you still blindly follow what the book says. Fools. When you die, you are dead, like before xyou were born – there is nothing. Stop wasting your time and mine!
Proof, Chris? I don't think you have any either. Your opinion is no more valid than mine or theirs.
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