(BUFFALO NEWS) A nineteen year old tourist has plunged to her death above Niagara Falls after crossing over a protective barrier near the waterfall and losing her footing.
"This is absolutely tragic," said Deputy Chief Jim P. Jessop of the Niagara Falls Fire Department in Ontario.
Police said the woman lost her balance Sunday night as she straddled a railing near the brink of the falls. Surveillance video of the incident showed the woman holding an umbrella and appeared to stand up in an attempt to climb back over the railing when she fell.
Parks Police Sgt. James Riddle said he often sees people on vacation taking risks they shouldn't simply for a photograph or a view.
"This old-time cop used to ask them, 'How much is that picture worth to you?' because of the outcome of what could happen to you," Riddle said. "A lot of people do it, they think they have to go over the railing, crawl out to the point and have their friends take a picture of them or something that they normally wouldn't do."
Area police searched for the woman's body late Sunday and early Monday, with no sign locating the body. However, during that search, a sheriff's helicopter spotted the remains of a man in the lower Niagara River .
Police have not identified the body and are continuing to investigate. Officials said the body does not appear related to Sunday's incidents.
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TXT 24
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