1. Annie Edson Taylor (1901)
Annie Edson Taylor was a 63-year-old schoolteacher who became the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel and survive. On October 24, 1901, she climbed into a custom-made wooden barrel and was pushed into the Niagara River above the Horseshoe Falls. After going over the falls, she was rescued unconscious but alive by a team of fishermen downstream. Taylor's daredevil stunt garnered international attention and made her a celebrity, but she later struggled financially and died in poverty in 1921.
2. Bobby Leach (1911)
Bobby Leach was a British stuntman and performer who successfully went over Niagara Falls twice. His first attempt was on July 25, 1911, when he went over the Horseshoe Falls in a steel barrel. He survived with only minor injuries and became known as "the man who conquered Niagara." However, his second attempt on August 13, 1920, ended tragically when he went over the falls again in a barrel but died as a result of his injuries.
3. Charles Stephens (1920)
Charles Stephens was a 25-year-old American stuntman who attempted to go over Niagara Falls in a rubber ball on July 4, 1920. His plan was to be cushioned by the ball's elasticity and survive the impact of the falls. Unfortunately, the ball burst when he went over the Horseshoe Falls, and he died instantly.
4. Red Hill Jr. (1930)
Red Hill Jr. was a 26-year-old Australian stuntman who went over Niagara Falls on July 4, 1930, in a barrel equipped with a parachute. He survived the plunge but suffered severe injuries and was hospitalized for several months.
5. Roger Woodward (1960)
Roger Woodward was a 32-year-old American stuntman who successfully went over Niagara Falls on June 23, 1960, in a specially-designed barrel. He used a barrel with an aluminum frame and foam padding, and he survived with only minor injuries. Woodward's feat was captured on film and broadcast on television, making him a household name and leading to a career as a motivational speaker.
These are just a few examples of the many daring attempts to go over Niagara Falls. While some have been successful, many have ended in tragedy. The Niagara Parks Commission strictly prohibits anyone from attempting to go over the falls due to the inherent risks involved.
