On Monday, tragedy struck at Niagara Falls State Park when a 34-year-old woman and her 5-year-old son from Illinois had a fatal fall off a 90-foot cliff.
The State Parks Police Capt. Chris Rola revealed that the investigation is still ongoing but it is not seen as an accident.
The two were reported to have gone over the park railing at around 12:30 in the afternoon, tumbling to the bottom of the Niagara Falls gorge. Emergency responders tried to save both, but unfortunately, the woman had already passed away. The boy was airlifted to John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, New York for surgery and remains in critical condition.
The NYSPP’s investigation has revealed that the mother willingly jumped off the gorge with her son, leading to the rescue of the child. The Niagara Falls Fire Department and Park Police officers were praised for their heroic efforts crossing the hazardous icy terrain, which was over 300 feet long, to render aid and attempt to save the two individuals.
The NYSPP also expressed their sympathy to the family in this difficult period. The identity of the woman has yet to be revealed.