A wild scene unfolded as a car nearly went over Niagara Falls on December 8th. Water levels in the Niagara River had to be lowered by the Power Authority as drones and a helicopter were used to get a closer look at the car.
New York State Parks Police were called just before 12 p.m. when a car became stuck in the rapids approximately 100 yards from the American side of Niagara Falls.
The police determined from eyewitness accounts that at least one occupant was in the vehicle, and launched an emergency operation in an attempt to rescue the individual. After the water levels were lowered, a helicopter was sent out.
DRAMATIC VIDEO: The U.S. Coast Guard made a daring rescue attempt Wednesday at the edge of Niagara Falls, dropping a diver from a helicopter to pull a body out of a car that somehow entered the rapids about 50 yards from the edge of the falls. https://t.co/Nrn9dY7Gmo pic.twitter.com/OMaYznePqF
— News 4 Buffalo (@news4buffalo) December 8, 2021
A Coast Guard diver was lowered from the helicopter, and was able to climb into the car. Unfortunately, the woman was already dead.
The Coast Guard had lowered an officer into the car. @WGRZ pic.twitter.com/kemA5xjtuE
— Jeff Preval (@PrevalWGRZ) December 8, 2021
NIAGARA FALLS ACTION: below is footage from inside of the USCG helicopter of AST Petty Officer 2nd Class Derrian Duryea repelling into the rushing waters of Niagara Falls on Wednesday, December 8th, 2021, for what ultimately became a recovery mission. pic.twitter.com/HpGadJrx8K
— Niagara Action (@NiagaraAction) December 9, 2021
“It was an incredible job by the Coast Guard,” Park Police Capt. Christopher Rola said at a news conference following the recovery mission.
Police have not yet identified the woman, though they have confirmed that she was in her late 60s and lived in the New York area near the falls.
The car is going to remain in the area until authorities can determine the “best course of action to remove it.”
The New York State Park Police have since announced that the incident was likely a suicide attempt, stating that the “entry into the water appears to be an intentional act.”
Dramatic rescue video: Coast Guard pulls body from edge of Niagara Falls after car gets submerged in rapids https://t.co/O0qvOJr2ml pic.twitter.com/AFIkBULF3b
— WFLA NEWS (@WFLA) December 8, 2021
