By Kevin Jolly
Niagara Falls, Ontario – Niagara Falls Park Police say an unidentified 30-year-old man is lucky to be alive after he plunged over the Canadian Horseshoe Falls Wednesday.
Niagara Parks Police say they responded to a 911 call at about 2pm after someone spotted the man climbing over the retaining wall south of the Horseshoe Falls. Witnesses saw the man go over the Falls before he was carried down river below the Ontario Power Generating Building.
Niagara Park Police along with the Niagara Falls Fire Department and Niagara Helicopters responded to the scene. Authorities say when they reached the man he refused assistance and tried to swim towards the center of the Niagara River. Rescuers managed to push the man back towards the shore and then pull him from the river.
Niagara Parks Police Sgt. Chris Gallagher says authorities will not release the man's name. At the request of relatives, police also will not discuss his reasons for jumping into the Niagara River. The man has been reunited with his family.
The western Ontario resident is at Hamilton General Hospital, where his condition is listed as stable. Gallagher says he is expected to make a full recovery.
Authorities say the man is fortunate to have survived after remaining in the icy water for about 45 minutes.