Man survives Niagara Falls plunge Thousands tourists saw a man attempt suicide by diving over Niagara Falls. Image Daniel Mayer via Wikimedia NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario, May 22 (UPI) -- A man was in serious condition Tuesday, a day after surviving a 170-foot fall over Niagara Falls in a suicide attempt, police said. On Canada's national Victoria Day holiday, thousands of horrified tourists saw the man dive into the rapid Niagara River about 30 feet away from the brink of the Horseshoe Falls around 10:20 a.m., police said. Niagara Parks Police Sgt. Chris Gallagher said as officers, fire and paramedics responded, security video confirmed the man had gone over and plunged 170 feet into the gorge, the Niagara Falls Review reported. "He went over the falls and survived," Gallagher said. He did this of his own accord. A dramatic rescue unfolded as seven firefighters rappelled down the steep embankment to reach the man who was sitting on rocks, the Toronto Star reported. A fire truck used a rope and pulley system to hoist the basket up. An air ambulance then took the man to a hospital trauma unit 40 miles northwest to Hamilton, Ontario. Gallagher said because it was an attempted suicide, police wouldn't release the man's name or hometown, but said he was middle-aged. He is only the fourth person known to have survived going over the falls unprotected. In three weeks, tightrope daredevil Nik Wallenda is scheduled to walk across the Niagara Gorge.