Don’t Try This at the Falls: The Wild and Tragic History of Going Over

Robert Overacker, attempting to go over with a jetski in 1995.

Niagara Falls: The World’s Most Beautiful Bad Idea

Let’s be honest: when people come to Niagara Falls, they think one thing—how close can I get to that edge without ending up in the news?

For centuries, the Falls have lured the bold, the foolish, and the heartbroken. It’s a place of raw power, crashing water, misty wonder—and an irresistible magnet for daredevils and dark thoughts. Call it nature’s most beautiful bad idea.

Barrels of Bravery (or Buffoonery)

In 1901, a 63-year-old schoolteacher named Annie Edson Taylor became the first person to survive a plunge over Horseshoe Falls in a barrel. But she didn’t go alone—she sent her cat first. That fearless feline has since become our unofficial mascot, “Misty.” According to local legend, the cat went into the barrel black and came out white… from sheer terror.

After that, the floodgates (and brain cells) opened.

• One man tried to go over in a kayak. They never found him.

• Another brought his pet turtle along for the ride. Only the turtle survived.

• One guy even built a jet ski with wings. (Gravity, as it turns out, is not impressed by wings.)

It’s like the Falls whisper: “Bet you won’t.” And every few years, someone listens.

The Tragedy Behind the Spectacle

While the daredevils grab headlines, the real truth is sadder: hundreds have died by suicide at Niagara Falls. Locals know the signs—someone pacing near the rail, alone, lost in thought. It happens so often that staff at the Maid of the Mist wear jackets with the words “Recovery Team.” Yes. That kind of recovery.

Some people come here thinking it’s the most dramatic way to end their story. But let me say this: you’re not a story—you’re still the author. If the mist is calling, maybe it’s not saying “jump.” Maybe it’s saying “breathe.” Maybe it’s just asking you to look.

Why We’re Drawn to the Edge

The Falls are hypnotic. It’s the sound. The rush. The sense that this place could eat the world and not even notice.

They remind us that we’re small. That nature is ancient. That we’re not in charge. And maybe that’s the point—to stand on the edge, feel the danger, and walk away anyway.

The Ones Who Didn’t Make It

While a few made it out alive (and sore), many never returned. Here are some of the most tragic or unforgettable stories of people who dared the Falls—and paid the price:

• Charles Stephens (1920):

  A barber from England known as “The Demon Barber of Bristol.” He tied an anvil to his feet for ballast. The anvil went down. The barrel split. Only one arm was found—with a tattoo that identified him.

• Robert Overacker (1995):

  A stuntman who tried to jet-ski off the Falls with a rocket-powered parachute to raise awareness for homelessness. The parachute didn’t deploy. He was 39.

• Jesse Sharp (1990):

  A professional kayaker who tried to ride the Falls in a bright red kayak—no helmet, no life vest. He thought surviving would lead to a TV deal. His body was never found.

• Kirk Raby (1995):

  A local man with a troubled history who attempted to go over the Falls in a makeshift plastic barrel called “The Spirit of ’76.” It broke apart almost immediately. He did not survive.

• Joseph Avery (1853):

  A man who survived a boating accident above the Falls and clung to a log for 18 hours—watched helplessly by crowds—before the current finally pulled him over. A monument now stands in his memory.

• Unidentified Tragedies (hundreds):

  Many who go over the Falls are never identified. The rocks below tell no stories, but the numbers are grim—over 5,000 estimated deaths since records began.

If You Must “Go Over” the Falls…

Try the boat tour. Or the Cave of the Winds. Or just ride the elevator down and take a selfie like a normal person. No need for barrels, wings, or final goodbyes.

And if you’re feeling dark—don’t go to the Falls alone. Go with a friend. Go with a camera. Go with the intention to come back.

Because Niagara doesn’t need another story of loss. It needs witnesses. Survivors. People who saw the power—and lived to tell it.

Niagara Falls: Come for the thunder. Stay for the perspective. And please—leave the barrels at home.