Kirk Raymond Jones - 2003

NIAGARA FALLS, ONT. (WIVB) - Kirk Jones, 40, of Canton, Michigan, did the unthinkable - he decided to take on the mighty Niagara and lived to tell about it.

Family members say the out of work shipping and receiving clerk has been talking about jumping Niagara Falls for about a month.

"He got it into his mind that he could defeat the Falls," said Keith Jones, Kirk Jones' brother.  "Everybody told him not to do it and everybody didn't believe him."

Friends back in Michigan are shocked that Jones survived.

"I don't know what he was really thinking- what he was considering," said Erik Fronek, Kirk Jones' friend.   "Like Bob was saying,it was probably just a desperation thing. You know?"

Jones was taken into police custody at a hospital in Niagara Falls, Ontario. 

In December 18th 2003, Jones returned to court. He plead guilty to both charged and was fined $3,000 and in addition was ordered to reimburse the Niagara Parks - Journey Behind the Falls attraction more than $1,000 for the money they lost during the 45 minutes the attraction had closed to facilitate Jones rescue.