Man Survives Plunge Over Niagara Falls

NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario - Authorities say a man has survived a 180-foot plunge over Niagara Falls.

Niagara Park police say the unidentified man is in critical condition with severe head injuries and hypothermia at a Canadian hospital.

When asked if the man had been trying to kill himself, police Chief Doug Kane said the man voluntarily jumped and refused assistance at the bottom of the falls.

A witness called police at 2:11 Wednesday afternoon to say a man had jumped into the Horseshoe Falls. Wind generated by a rescue helicopter's blades pushed the man toward rescuers.

The last person known to survive a plunge over the falls was Michigan resident Kirk Jones in October, 2003.

At least 17 people — not including suicide attempts — are known to have gone over the falls.