Niagara Falls is an awe-inspiring sight, consisting of three waterfalls in the famed Niagara Gorge. The famous falls sit between the American and Canadian border in the province of Ontario and the state of New York. Luna Island in New York separates the smaller American Falls from Bridal Veil Falls, while Horseshoe Falls, or the Canadian Falls, is a magnificent sight separated from the American side by Goat Island.
Niagara Falls has the highest flow rate of any waterfall in North America, with a shocking 160-foot drop into the rough and violent Niagara River. It quickly became a number one tourist destination due to the extraordinary falls and surrounding beauty but has also led to many famous Niagara Falls deaths.
The falls attracted daredevils attempting to jump into the falls or travel over the edge in an array of devices. In a publicity stunt, 63-year-old teacher Annie Edson Taylor became the first person to go over the falls in a barrel in 1901. Taylor would warn the public never to attempt the same stunt. Of course, nobody listened to her and there have been many attempts at surviving the drop.
Despite being illegal on both sides of the falls, many people have died trying to go over, while Niagara Falls has also been the site of many accidental deaths. Below are some of the most famous deaths to have occurred at Niagara Falls over the years.
1. Charles Stephens (July 11, 1920)
In the 1900s, barber Charles Stephens began performing daredevil stunts in Bristol, England, to support his wife and 11 kids. That led him to Niagara Falls to attempt his most dangerous feat. Also known as the Demon Barber of Bedminster, 58-year-old Stephens attempted to travel over the falls in a stunt on July 11, 1920.
Despite the advice from veteran Niagara daredevils William “Red” Hill Sr. and Bobby Leach, Stephens used an oak barrel with his feet tied to an anvil. Tragically, the anvil broke the barrel and dragged Stephens to the bottom of the Canadian Falls. Rescue teams could only recover Stephens’s arm, severed from his body during the fall.
2. Ayano Tokumasu (August 14, 2011)
There have been many accidental deaths since tourism exploded at Niagara Falls. One famous incident occurred when 18-year-old Japanese exchange student Ayano Tokumasu visited Horseshoe Falls in 2011.
At one point she climbed over the railing and sat on a pillar to take pictures. Around 8:30 pm, she stood, lost her balance, and fell into the river. She quickly washed over the Canadian Falls, plunging to her death. Search teams found her body a few days later on August 18.
3. Kirk Jones (April 19, 2017)
On October 20, 2003, American Kirk Jones became the first person to go over Niagara Falls without a flotation device or safety precautions. He suffered minor injuries and pulled himself up a rock until he was rescued. After his arrest, the courts fined him $3,000 and banned him from entering Canada.
Jones decided to attempt the stunt a second time, however, this stunt ended in Jones’ death. On April 19, 2017, Jones went over the falls in an inflatable ball. Later that day, the Maid of the Mist discovered the empty ball. Searchers finally found Jones’ body at the bottom of the falls in June.
4. James Honeycutt (July 19, 1960)
James Honeycutt and his nephew and niece, Deanna and Roger Woodward, were involved in a boating accident near the Horseshoe Falls on July 19, 1960. Their boat flipped over, sending Honeycutt over the falls and to his death.
Miraculously, 7-year-old Roger survived going over the falls in only a life jacket. The Maid of the Mist rescued Roger at the bottom of the Horseshoe Falls. Two good samaritans worked together to save his sister Deanna before she went over the falls.
5. Ed Delahanty (July 2, 1903)
Baseball Hall of Famer Ed Delahanty started his career in the late 1800s and quickly became one of the most dominant hitters in Major League Baseball. On July 2, 1903, Delanthanty traveled on a train from Detroit to New York. Knocking back a few beers on the journey, he quickly got drunk and became belligerent. Delahanty caused a scene and even threatened other passengers with a razor blade. The train’s conductor had no choice but to kick Delahanty off at Fort Erie, Ontario.
Delahanty then attempted to cross the International Railway Bridge on foot into Buffalo, New York. At this point, Delahanty was either pushed, fell, or jumped into the falls. There were reports of Delahanty fighting with a guard or a robber leading to his death, but nobody is quite sure what led to his fall.
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6. Jesse Sharp (June 5, 1990)
Tennessee native Jesse Sharp attempted to go over the falls in a closed canoe on June 5, 1990. Sharp made two decisions that would cost him his life. He opted not to wear a helmet to make his face visible for photographs and chose not to wear a vest to make his escape at the bottom of the falls easier. After going over the falls, the canoe resurfaced, but Sharp’s body disappeared into the river.
7. George Stathakis (July 4, 1930)
Greek immigrant George Stathakis had a good life living in Buffalo, New York, working as a chef. But Stathakis wanted more from life and dreamed of becoming a best-selling author. He devised a plan to go over Niagara Falls with his 150-year-old pet turtle as a publicity stunt to publish his book.
On July 4, 1930, Stathakis and his turtle went over the Canadian Falls with a large crowd watching. Stathakis and his friends built a large wooden barrel for the plunge. Stathakis never made it to the bottom of the falls as the barrel became wedged behind the falls for roughly 20 hours. When rescuers finally opened the barrel, Stathakis had been dead for several hours due to suffocation and a lack of oxygen. Stathakis’ turtle managed to survive the entire event.
8. Hersham Sayegh (August 1981)
In August 1981, 28-year-old Dunia Sayegh visited Horseshoe Falls with her husband and children, including her 2-year-old son Hersham. While viewing the falls, Hersham slipped out of Sayegh’s hands and fell roughly 160 feet into the falls. Other tourists witnessed the young boy tragically fall to his death.
Cruise ships quickly began searching for the toddler but never recovered the body. A few days later, authorities arrested Dunia at her Toronto home for intentionally throwing her son over the falls. Dunia denied the allegations, mentioning she suffered from anxiety attacks and dizziness. Her family and friends supported her claim, noting her family doctor prescribed her medication. During the trial, the judge dismissed the charges and set Dunia free.
9. Robert Overacker
Robert “Firecracker” Overacker felt he needed to do something big to raise awareness for homelessness. His big stunt was to go over the Canadian Falls on October 1, 1995, on a jet ski. Unfortunately, his parachute failed to open correctly, causing Overacker to fall to his death. The rescue team discovered his body, although he was pronounced dead at the hospital.
10. William “Red” Hill Jr. (August 5, 1951)
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, William “Red” Hill Sr. was a local legend and hero in Niagara Falls. Hill Sr. saved many lives, including daredevil Bobby Leach, when he went over the Canadian Falls. Hill Sr. often went down the rough Niagara River rapids but never over the falls.
After his death, his son, William “Red” Hill Jr., wanted to raise money to fund a memorial for his father. On August 5, 1951, Hill Jr. attempted a feat his father never considered and went over the falls in a barrel. Tragically, the barrel shattered to pieces upon impact and Hill Jr. died instantly.
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