Anyone experiencing mental health challenges are encouraged to contact Niagara County Crisis Services at (716) 285-3515 or the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
The New York State Park Police engaged in a search operation Wednesday afternoon for a person who they believe intentionally entered the Niagara River a few hundred feet away from the Horseshoe Falls at Niagara Falls State Park.
Park Police received the call at 2:01pm regarding a woman seen in the water. Upon arrival at the scene, officers interviewed multiple witnesses who reported the incident. An emergency response was initiated as law enforcement believed she went over the falls.
"An immediate search of the area commenced using Park Police drones, foot searches of the gorge, and visual searches from overlooks," the New York State Park Police stated in a press release. To further assist in the search efforts, Park Police reached out to the New York State Police Aviation for aerial support in searching the lower Niagara River.
Per sources, her identity is not yet known to law enforcement.
Despite their efforts, the woman has not been found. The search is ongoing and will continue on Thursday.
This incident comes not the heels of another suicide that took place at Niagara Falls just 10 days ago. There, 33-year-old Chianti Means threw with her 9-year-old and 5-month-old over the falls before jumping herself.
According to New York State Police, the family bypassed safety measures and crossed over a guardrail before falling from Luna Island, which is connected to Goat Island. Trooper James O’Callaghan, a spokesperson for the New York State Park Police, confirmed that the mother’s decision to jump with her children was intentional.
“They went there and they never came out,” O’Callaghan stated during a press briefing on October 30th.
It is now being reported by multiple outlets that both children were thrown over the falls before the mother jumped herself.
“It is alarming what they told us,” O’Callaghan remarked, highlighting the complexity of the situation.
While the investigation is ongoing, O’Callaghan noted that determining the motivations behind such actions can be challenging.
“Based on the information we have, we do know it was an intentional act, but the reason why is tougher to answer,” he said.
Recovery efforts have been extensive but have yet to yield any results. Search teams have been scouring the lower Niagara River for any signs of the victims deploying boats along the river and utilizing drones and helicopters to assist in the search. Volunteers have also been using binoculars to scan the shoreline.
The powerful currents of the river pose a significant challenge. Bodies that go over the falls are often carried downstream with many victims washing up at the Niagara Falls Power Vista or further into Lake Ontario.
READ MORE HERE ABOUT RECOVERY OF BODIES OVER NIAGARA FALLS BELOW
When a person jumps over Niagara Falls, the sheer force of the water can be catastrophic. The falls drop approximately 170 feet and the impact of hitting the water can be likened to hitting concrete.
Survivors of such jumps are rare and many who enter the water are quickly swept away by the strong currents. The Niagara River is known for its unpredictable and violent rapids, which can make recovery efforts extremely challenging.
Recovery of bodies from the river is often complicated by the natural landscape. The bodies of individuals who jump may become trapped in the rocks and debris at the base of the falls or be carried downstream making it difficult for authorities to locate them.
Those that have jumped over the American Falls oftentimes become lodged in the jagged rocks at its base. Water falls at 32 feet per second over the American Falls hitting the base with 280 tons of force. This impact would tear apart a body.
The Niagara Regional Police Service, along with specialized recovery teams, frequently conducts searches in the river. However, the conditions can be hazardous and unpredictable.
William "Red" Hill Sr., a renowned daredevil and rescuer, is notable for his efforts in recovering victims from the Niagara River. Over his lifetime, he is credited with saving 28 lives and recovering 177 accident and suicide victims from the waters just below the falls. His bravery and dedication to helping others have made him a local hero in the Niagara Falls community.
The force of the falls not only poses a risk to those who jump but also complicates the recovery of their remains. Those that have jumped over the American Falls oftentimes become lodged in the rocks below.
Water falls at 32 feet per second over the American Falls hitting the base with 280 tons of force. This impact would tear apart a body, making identification difficult. In many cases, the remains may not be recovered for days, weeks, months, or at all, leading to heartache for families seeking closure.
Anyone experiencing mental health challenges are encouraged to contact Niagara County Crisis Services at (716) 285-3515 or the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Desperate Search Underway for Woman Believed to Have Gone Over Niagara Falls