17 February 2023 , 10:18
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A mum died after jumping 90ft off Niagara Gorge with her 5-year-old son in a "suicide plunge" whilst on holiday.
The 34-year-old, from Illinois, US, climbed over a railing on Goat Island in Niagara State Park at around 12.30pm on February 12 when she jumped into the icy banks along with her son.
The child survived but remains in a critical condition at Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo after undergoing surgery following a head injury.
The mum had been visiting the site with her husband and son on holiday when they fell.
Emergency crews were called but the mum was pronounced dead at the scene. Her body was flown from the bottom of the gorge via helicopter to the coroner's office.
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The 5-year-old was quickly loaded onto a stretcher where he was met by an emergency helicopter which took him to hospital.
The boy was airlifted to hospital with his condition unknown (WGRZ)Captain Chris Rola, from New York State Parks Police, revealed they are treating the incident as deliberate.
He said: "The investigation is ongoing, but we don't believe it is an accident."
A police spokesperson confirmed yesterday the incident was being treated as an attempted suicide.
He confirmed the mum and son had been at the park with her husband before the fall.
The pair landed 90ft onto ice which had formed near the bottom of the Gorge, according to Mr Rola.
Niagara Falls firefighters had to bravely walk across the ice to reach the mum and son.
The tragic incident happened at Niagara Falls State Park (WGRZ)The Park Captain added: "Although today it’s nice out, it’s very icy down there.
"It’s real tough terrain that our guy and our girls were able to get through and get to them and provide that life-saving care and do everything they could.
"We were going to make every effort for that child that was still alive at the time."
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The area surrounding the Cave of the Winds, which is a popular tourist attraction, was cordoned off by police during the emergency rescue.
Mr Rola said: "Niagara Falls is a tough place to perform rescues.
“[State Park Police] have swift water rescue team we have high angle rope rescue guys that train all the time.
"Niagara Falls fire is great, and as you can see, the state police are a great partner with us and their aviation crews top notch.”