Dave Munday - September 1993

NIAGARA FALLS, NY (WIVB) - 57 year old Dave Munday made history by stuffing himself into a padded steel ball, plunging 176 feet down Niagara Falls for the second time, and surviving.

Reporter Victoria Hong asked Munday how was the ride, he said "Oh God, it hit hard it was a bad one, yeah."

Munday had been challenging the Falls for the past eight years.
In 1985, he successfully rode the might Niagara for the first time, then in 1990, he tried again, only to be stopped when his barrel got stuck on the edge.

Finally, after four years of planning, he set sail, went over and set a record. But, the Niagara Parks Police aren't impressed.

When Munday first went over the Falls he was fined $4,000, the Parks police want to teach him a lesson.

 "Obviously, didn't deter him from this type of activity," said Chief Ray Vassalo with the Niagara Falls Parks Police. "Which is what we're trying to establish when we're going to be setting penalties."

Munday has been charged with trespassing int he Park, which could carry a $1,000 penalty, and stunting in the parks, a possible $10,000 summons.

Vassalo says he will as the courts to not be lenient.  He says the Falls should be admired, not rode, and Munday have have not been hurt this time, but others may not be as lucky.

"My message is please don't," said Chief Vassalo, "We'll deal as severely as courts will allow."