Man survives plunge over Niagara Falls

[ALGonquin Bob]

This happened today, in the Horseshoe Falls (Canadian side). I get a little nervous paddling 2 1/2 miles above The Falls, I can't imagine what it takes to jump in just above the brink. I hope he recovers and gets the help he needs.

http://www.niagara-gazette.com/local/local_story_070153113.html

 

[Amicus]

This is a remarkable feat, if you read the story. Troubled he may surely be, but what he did defies belief. A kid survived a ride over those Falls, famously, in the summertime (but not the adult driving the stalled power-boat that got too close), 40-50 years ago, I think, and maybe one troubled individual not in a barrel since, but to do this in early March, then swim naked among the ice-chunks at the bottom for a considerable while, seems uncanny.

This should be a shock to his system and one hopes it will boost his self-esteem.

 

[ALGonquin Bob]

Remarkable indeed. He is only the third person ever to survive that fall without benefit of a barrel or other protective device. A boy wearing a life jacket (victim of a boating accident) went over in 1960, and a man survived a probable stunt (no PFD) in 2003. Neither of those previous incidents was in the winter. Amazing. http://www.buffalonews.com/101/story/604520.html

 

[ROCKYSUMMIT]

Wow, amazing story! Hope more details come out.

 

[Jay H]

Yeah, the fact that he survived the plunge AND doing so in winter is pretty remarkable. The fact that he would do this in the first place, assuming this was intentional, is not. Lets hope the person gets some help now.

Jay

 

[ALGonquin Bob]

update

The man is expected to make a full recovery from his injuries.
http://www.tonawanda-news.com/local/local_story_071235743.html

 

[WinterWarlock]

Yeah, the fact that he survived the plunge AND doing so in winter is pretty remarkable. The fact that he would do this in the first place, assuming this was intentional, is not. Lets hope the person gets some help now.

Jay

He was naked, and tried to get away from his rescuers - my guess is that this was intentional. He's lucky to have survived, but somehow I think he may not think so right now.

 

[DougPaul]

He was naked, and tried to get away from his rescuers - my guess is that this was intentional. He's lucky to have survived, but somehow I think he may not think so right now.

Don't forget that he had a head injury and was hypothermic, either of which can cause irrational behavior.

Doug

 

[WinterWarlock]

Don't forget that he had a head injury and was hypothermic, either of which can cause irrational behavior.

Doug

True, but if the Tonawanda paper is correct, and they're investigating it as a suicide attempt, that would also explain why he resisted rescue. In my past experience working in an ER, people in that state can become very resistant, to the point of violence, when someone tries to interfere with their plans.

 

[DougPaul]

True, but if the Tonawanda paper is correct, and they're investigating it as a suicide attempt, that would also explain why he resisted rescue. In my past experience working in an ER, people in that state can become very resistant, to the point of violence, when someone tries to interfere with their plans.

Basic rules of evidence. We have 3 known possible causes of behavior that could result in resisting rescue (there may be more possible causes) and without additional evidence cannot conclude that any particular one is the cause, even if one is more probable than the others.

Doug

 

[ALGonquin Bob]

Stepping over the railing just above the brink of Niagara Falls and jumping into fast current is quite irrational behavior. It's obvious what he did and what his intended outcome was. It happens more times than you might know, but only the survivor stories are released to the media.

 

[DougPaul]

It happens more times than you might know, but only the survivor stories are released to the media.

Perhaps for stories of the individual events. However, your reference states that there are typically 10-15 falls-assisted suicides per year.

Doug