A 33-year-old mother climbed over a safety rail and intentionally went over Niagara Falls with her two children, a 9-year-old and 5-month-old, according to New York state police, who said Wednesday that search and rescue efforts were unsuccessful.
Authorities responded to the park around 9 p.m. Monday and determined the family went over the rail on Luna Island, a small island between the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls that, along with the Horseshoe Falls, make up the popular tourist attraction.
“The investigation has determined that this incident was intentional in nature, though the circumstances remain under investigation,” state police said in a news release. Authorities are using unmanned aircraft and underwater units in the ongoing investigation.
Niagara Falls is a popular destination, but it has also been the site of numerous tragedies over the years, with some individuals intentionally going over the falls. This latest incident, involving a mother and her two young children, is an unimaginable tragedy that has left the community and authorities deeply saddened.
Search and rescue efforts were unable to locate the family, and it is presumed they did not survive the fall. Authorities have not released any further details about the circumstances surrounding this intentional act. The investigation is still in its early stages as officials work to determine what led to this devastating outcome.
