NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — New York State Parks Police were on the scene near the Cave of the Winds on Goat Island Monday afternoon.
The Park Police and Fire Department recovered the body of a woman after she fell into the Niagara Gorge with her son, according to a spokesperson from the Niagara Parks.
Police do not believe the fall was accidental.
'There's multiple people there and they are being interviewed. That's all part of the investigation," Chris Rola from the NYS Parks Police said. "They're all being interviewed, but we don't believe it's an accident."
Parks police say the woman and child fell approximately 90 feet and struck ice that had formed at the bottom of the gorge.
"It's really tough terrain that our guys and girls were able to get through and get to them and provide that life-saving care and do everything they could," Rola said. "But as far as putting other people at risk, we're going to make every effort for that child that was still alive at the time."
First responders rescued the five-year-old child, who was airlifted by Mercy Flight to Oishei Children's Hospital. The child is being treated for a head wound, and his condition is unknown at this time.
Emergency crews performed life-saving measures on both the woman and child but were not able to save the woman. Her body was recovered by a New York State Police helicopter.
The identity of the woman and the child are not being released at this time. They did say the family was not from our area.
NYS Parks Police commended the coordination between multiple agencies to save the child.
"Niagara Falls is a tough place to perform rescues and we [State Park Police] have swift water rescue team we have high angle rope rescue guys that train all the time," Rola said. "Niagara Falls fire is great, and as you can see, the State Police are a great partner with us and their aviation crews top notch."