It’s not every day someone survives driving off a cliff, especially into the Niagara Gorge. But on April 2, an unknown 42-year-old man did just that. After crashing through a fence and landing in the gorge, he somehow walked away from it. The New York State Park Police responded after receiving a medical call near the Aquarium of Niagara. According to officials, the New York man had been driving a 2008 Toyota when the incident occurred, but incredibly, he managed to climb out of the wreck and make his way out of the gorge to get medical help.
Although the New York man survived the fall into the Niagara Gorge, police continued to search the area in case there was another victim. Fortunately, no one else was found. It seems Lady Luck was on the 42-year-old’s side, as he only suffered non-life-threatening injuries. An ambulance arrived shortly after and took him to Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo for treatment.
Although the New York man is now safe in the hospital, police have stated that the investigation is still ongoing. The New York State Park Police will be working with the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Niagara County District Attorney’s Office to get to the bottom of the incident. Meanwhile, New York State Parks & Historic Sites will handle the efforts to remove the wrecked vehicle from the Niagara Gorge.
Since the New York man managed to escape relatively unscathed from the terrifying plunge, the public response was surprisingly light-hearted. Many people took to Facebook to share jokes under the New York State Park Police’s post, with one user quipping, “Sir, you can’t park there.”
Others praised the durability of the man’s vehicle, assuming it played a role in his survival. “It’s a Toyota, probably drove back up out of the gorge. Good for another 100k,” joked another commenter.
However, not everyone took it lightly. Some users speculated whether the crash was truly an accident or something more serious. “Holy cow. I wonder if this was a suicide attempt or a crazy accident. I can’t believe he walked away,” one person wrote.
Others were simply baffled by the man’s ability to survive and walk out on his own. “I have so many questions. The fact this man walked away with minor injuries is a miracle,” a commenter added.
