His death seemed senseless and preventable.In a brazen attempt to make a name and some fame for himself, Red Hill Jr. went over Niagara Falls in a flimsy homemade contraption made of inner tubes and webbing.
As thousands looked on his vessel was swallowed by the Falls and spat out a few minutes later--a twisted lifeless wreck. His wife and 10 year old daughter were among those who prayed for the best in the hopes that Red had somehow survived. The next day the river gave up Hill's battered remains.
Following the daredevil's death, public outcry grew and laws were passed to prevent 'stunting' on the Niagara River.
An exception to the rule was granted in 1981 when four professional kayakers challenged the lower Niagara rapids for a broadcast segment of ABC TV's 'The American Sportsman'. Permission was granted because the US and Canadian Governments considered the spectacle a 'sporting event', not a stunt. In today's age of personal injury attorneys it is hard to imagine that the event would be permitted...but in 1981 it was permissible and made for some great television:
If you can't stick around for all 12 minutes of tape, the four people and their kayaks survived.
Another accomplished kayaker, Jesse Sharpe, went over the Falls in 1990 and did not fare as well. If you're visiting Niagara, you can view, FOR FREE!, the awesome power of the rapids in several ways. On the Canadian side, take the hiking trail that starts on the gorge rim in the Glen Park. On the US side, use the hiker's path that starts at the Devil's Hole State Park. Be careful and stay on the paths, the Niagara River is deadly!
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