Watch Daring Helicopter Recovery at Niagara Falls

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew recovered a woman's body from a vehicle in rushing water on the brink of Niagara Falls.

Source Niagara Gazette, Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Dec. 9, 2021

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter rescue crew recovered the body of a woman whose car travelled in the rapid waters of the Niagara River on the brink of Niagara Falls.

Dec. 8—New York State Park Police said a woman in her 60s was the lone occupant of a vehicle that plunged into the upper rapids Tuesday.

The woman was pulled from the car by the crew aboard a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter shortly before 2:30 p.m.

New York State Park Police Cpt. Christopher Rola told News 4 the driver of the car, a local woman in her late 60s, has been pronounced dead.

The car went into the upper Niagara River this morning some time around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. As of 1:10 p.m. rescue crews from Niagara Falls Police, Fire and Park Police were preparing to enter the river and attempt a rescue in the rapids just above the brink and 75-feet from shore.

The New York Power Authority decreased waterflow as the rescue proceeded. The roof of the car became more visible.

It was just after 10:40 a.m. when Jeremy Smith was walking across the Goat Island pedestrian bridge.

"I saw a car float on the far side," Smith said. "Then I thought I saw a person in it. It kept floating. I thought I saw a guy. The person next to me thought they saw a woman and maybe a child in the back seat."

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