Man falling to his death now identified

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) - Authorities have identified a man who died after falling from a steep trail at Devil's Hole State Park.

Emergency responders said 33 year old Michael Cooper of Niagara Falls was found by other hikers. They said he strayed from a path in the Niagara Gorge and fell down a steep cliff.

Sgt. Clyde Doty from New York State Parks Police said, "They were working aggressively on him, he was back boarded and out of the gorge."

Cooper was taken to Mount Saint Mary's Hospital where he died in the emergency room. Authorities have ruled the death an accident.

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Emergency crews rushed to the rescue of a man who fell in the Niagara Gorge but could not save him. When rescue crews arrived at Devils Hole State Park, the man was conscious but he later died in the emergency room.

At around 7 pm Sunday, Niagara Falls Parks Police received a 911 call through Niagara Falls police.

Sgt. Clyde Doty from NYS Parks Police said, "A report of screams coming from the Gorge at Devils State Park. Our officers responded as well as Niagara Falls Fire Department and Rural metro ambulance."

When investigators arrived at Devil's Hole State Park they traveled about a quarter-mile down the gorge.

The hikers who made the 911 call led officials to the victim.

"He wasn't speaking a whole lot. He was in a lot of pain. I wasn't close enough at that point to hear what he was saying."

Sgt. Clyde Doty said the victim, a 33-year-old and from Niagara Falls, was rushed to St. Mary's hospital where he died in the emergency room. It appears the 33-year-old had slipped and fell down the gorge.

"We don't have any witnesses to the incident. As far as we know he was by himself."

Police aren't releasing the name of the victim until his family has been notified.