Going Over the Edge at Niagara's Rainbow Falls - Horrible Tragedy

Going Over the Edge at Niagara's Rainbow Falls - also known as Niagara's American Falls: Neither suicide nor daredevil, a horrible tragedy by a man who over medicated.

I was contacted by this man's family. He was a pharmacist, named Robert Ahrens, from the Tonawanda, NY. area. His body was recovered and medication found in his system. It is believed he over medicated and was not fully cognizant of his actions at the time he jumped in the water. His family firmly believes this was not a willful suicide act.

Death of any sort (accident or suicide) is not funny; lessons should be learned. This took place in the 1980s (often suggested to be 1985). News reporter, Phil Kavitz, and videographer, Larry Frazier, were recording a report at Prospect Point for Buffalo TV News 2 when a man jumped into the water and went over Rainbow (American) Falls.

Some people think it looks like he tripped or slipped. If you've been in this area, you would know that it's not a totally unimpeded dash to the water. The family believes that he did not know of the danger and did not know exactly where he was. In this area the Niagara is fast moving and relatively shallow. He appears from his position and shoulders, above the water, as if he is paddling or was holding a small item that held him up.

This is definitely not a stunt. It is only a coincidence of circumstance that a news crew was in the area which afforded a final documented moment in history.

This area is the Niagara Falls heavy tourist area of Prospect Point, along the Tonawanda (American) Channel, bounded by Goat Island and Luna Island on the far side (SW) of the channel and Prospect Point on the near side (NE). It is slightly upstream of the brink of the American Falls (NW). The Niagara River/strait flows North 36 miles (58 km) from Lake Erie on the South to Lake Ontario on the North. In this area the water averages 2 to 3 feet deep with class VI (heavy) rapids, at speeds up to 3 feet per second. The depth and speed are affected by the amount of water diverted for power. Daylight hours in tourist season 50% of the water is diverted for power; 75% is diverted during winter and at night in tourist season. The rapids above the Falls is created by a 50-55ft (16m) drop in the rock strata from Chippewa-Grass Island Pool to the brink of the Falls.

Susan Banks was the news anchor at Ch 2, and no longer works there (maybe Buffalo Ch 7 now). I have not found a recent update about Kavitz or Frazier.

I'll put up any info if anyone has more information or more accurate information.

Niagara Falls consists of the Horseshoe (Canadian) Falls, Bridal Veil (Luna) Falls, and Rainbow (American) Falls. The international border passes along the tip of Terrapin Point on Goat Island, NY, which puts much of Horseshoe Falls in Ontario, Canada, and the other two Falls in New York, US.

The power and the majesty of Niagara Falls is overwhelming, making the Falls one of the most beautiful places on earth. You can get up close and personal with the Falls in many safe ways. The Maid of the Mist (US and Canada), the Cave of the Winds (US), and Journey Behind the Falls (Canada) are amazing.

---------- Suicides and Other Deaths at Niagara -----------

Unfortunately, some people visit Niagara Falls for non-tourist reasons. Every year there are 12 to 18 known suicides at Niagara Falls (not all bodies are recovered), compared to about 25 a year at the Golden Gate Bridge. Other people perform stunts over the falls, and some people have river recreation accidents and get rescued or meet their death over the falls.

Suicide awareness, proper help and the support of friends and loved ones could prevent a vast number of these deaths. The danger of this and any river can prevent needless accidental deaths.

The lure of the Falls for suicide is well documented, but in recent years, the publicity is presumed to inspire more people to choose the Falls to meet their end. It begs the question, why more isn't done to curb suicide at it's source, and more done for mental health and substance overuse or abuse services.

At the Falls, many people, both men and women, have gone into the rapids quietly, calmly, and often without witnesses. Due to the rocks at the bottom of the American (Rainbow) Falls, there is a lure to the expectation of a quick finality and a hope that their body won't be found - although many are pushed out by the force of the water and recovered. Often the only facts of the suicide are notes, letters, personal belongings, and clothes left behind.

Some reports show that most suicides (maybe 90%) are over Horseshoe Falls, and that 90% of those survive the plunge but die by drowning at the bottom (the mechanics of a huge waterfall is described like a slide on a cushion of water bubbles). With the suicide jumper of 11 Mar 2009, only three people without major protection are known to fully survive without a scratch.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Niagara
• Falls
• Medication
• Accident
• Jump
• Rescue
• Niagra
• America
• Rainbow
• Canada
• News
• 1985
• Miracle
• Daredevils

[95dmario]

I regret this immmmmmmedddiatelyyyyyyyyyy...­...

[TommyIsH080625]

@95dmario wrote, "I regret this immmmmmmedddiatelyyyyyyyyyy...­­..."

Cmt: Many people who fail in dying as a result of their suicide attempt, say later that the regretted the act while it was in progress, such as, while heading toward the water after jumping off the Golden Gate bridge. Most people who use these "point of no return" methods die, so the statements of those who lived is somewhat the only knowledge anyone has about it. Suicide is normally an act of desperation for help.

[mickeymouse14]

is he ok?

[TommyIsH080625]

@mickeymouse14 who asked, "is he ok?"

A: He died. His body was found a few days later.

[MrCanadian99]

How the hell is this fake? you people these days make everything fake, like WTF.

[ty1977]

maybe he did it cause he knew hed get free healthcare on the canadian side

[mickeymouse14]

@TommyIsH080625 Thanks for the awnserw...4..months l;ater!

[TommyIsH080625]

@bailinnumberguy wrote, "Turning off the falls? What is there, a giant faucet knob that they just turn and the river stops?"

A: Not exactly. Water is diverted 50% during daytime in tourist season, and 75% at other times but, they don't and can't divert 100% of it. To inspect and reinforce the American falls, the US Army Corps of Engineers created an earth berm across the channel to divert all water to the Canadian Falls. That's how they turned off the American Falls.

[kilahchris]

@TommyIsH080625 why did he kill him self? what is his name i would like to read up on this ?

[TommyIsH080625]

@metaletech ... as far as official known deaths, they provide a number which is far less. However, it certainly does not include unconfirmed deaths where the body isn't recovered. Years ago, the NY Times published suicides at the Falls. It is interesting to read some of the descriptions and notes left behind and the back-stories of those who perished.

[TommyIsH080625]

@AskCarrieLee wrote, "Wonder if this is the guy they just found yesterday while searching for the Japanese woman..."

A: No. His body was found a few days after he jumped.

[TommyIsH080625]

@PhantomSticky who wrote, "Not a suicide? The dude hopped over the railing, ran up to the river and jumped in face first. The family can believe whatever they want, but it doesn't get much more suicidal than that."

A: In terms of suicide similar to (a) an intoxicated person drives, crashes and dies, and called a suicide rather than a car accident, then YES; or (b) In terms of suicide by willfull act with no meds or psychological issues does an act which causes death then, No.

[TommyIsH080625]

@kilahchris who asked, "was his body ever found, was he ever identified?"

A: Yes. A few days later it pushed out into the river and was recovered.

[kilahchris]

was his body ever found, was he ever identified?