Show A10 — The Herald Journal Logan Utah Thursday October 23 2003 t 0 World Man says plunge was suicide try nett sttuntt is first person to survive Niagara without -- ft safety equipment ' - NIAGARA FALLS Ontario (AP) — A man who went over Niagara Falls head first said Wednesday that he was driven by depression not a desire to become a daredevil Kirk Jones 40 of Canton Mich is charged with illegal-l- y performing a stunt He is the first person known to have plunged over the falls without safety devices and lived In a phone interview with ABC News Jones said he had been depressed but surviving the plunge made him want to liveagain “I honestly thought that it wasn’t worth going on But I can tell you now after hitting v the falls I feel that life is worth living” he said Jones recently lost his job when his parents shut down the family business which made tools fclr auto parts manufacturers His father Jones told The Detroit Ray-mo- Mi wr VI- t ' M0 f 1 - 4 V Going ova the falls was like “bong in a giant tunnel going straight down surrounded by water'’ Jones told ABC He said he “hit hard” was turned upside down in the water below then pushed out far enough by the current to climb onto a rock Jones was not seriously injured and remained hospitalized in stable condition He could be fined the US equivalent of about $7600 Jones’ parents told ABC he had been suffering from depression but his mother said surviving a leap from Niagara Falls had intrigued make a lot of money from the notoriety i Erid Fronek 21 also of Canton toldjABC that his i friend had discussed going falls in the past but f pver the was driven to act by depression "I think his just reached the point where whatever happened was the best plan for 40-year-o- ld If he made it he might him w ' - ? ' 4"( benefit with money If he died so be it” Fronek said “That’s what depression will do to you” 11 Hi-- V- AP photo Jones said he made the jump on impulse and immediately wished he hadn’t daredevil Robert Overacker 39 falls to Kis death at Niagara Falls in this Oct 1 1995 file photo taken by Egyptian tourist Amr Ramadan Hassan Overacker's parachute failed to open when his Jet Ski reached the lip of the falls For the first time in history a man survived a plunge over Niagara Falls on Monday with only the clothes on his hack to protect him him for years “He said he always thought there was a spot you could jump and survive” Doris Jones 77 told The Associated Press from ha sista’s home in Keiza Ore “We neva agreed to it We thought it was risky" Suicides are not uncommon at Niagara Falls although police are reluctant to give numbers Since 1901 IS daredevils have taken die plunge in barrels other devices including a kayak and a watercraft Ten survived said Niagara Falls histoiian Paul Gromosiak a pa-son- al California News he had to lay off his son because of die economy Family and friends have jjzar pancreati segno? said Jones had been considering the jump fa years One friend said Jones hoped to but haven't started your chemotherapy? Then you may qualify to join a medical research study of an investigational drug for patients with Pancreatic Cancer nd STEREO WOOD CABINET TRADITIONAL STYLING ‘SUPER WASH If you qualify you medical can at no IN EO m&aas5EB5Esmifrm WHERE DIRTY CARS COME CLEAN!1 You may receive charge to you study-relate- All drugs that help fight disease and illness are tested carefully by proven studies d : A 'yY- - ' ' ! have any questions or need mine A medical information please call us at If you (435) ' People who help in drug studies an very important must be 18 years of age or older to volunteer ' 752-599- 9 :A When X' a person agrees to help in a drug study new medications an v brought to the market New drugs A : that meet ihe needs qfihe patient 'I I'"-- Study being conchicted S97A74R ON SALE NOW ‘ S M'752-304S- r I v l li- Caclufer7illey CanccrYT redttnen Logan Super Wash 7S Uwtw Nwr IN Cwitw D sT V Won-Sat- jl t& Resea rclKCliti ic Hematology & Hospice m w 100 Nutbsan - !!K The Musical Ambassadors of the Army Washington DC A Free Concert First Amendment Freedoms I nMIt L j j 'i: 3 -jJ Presented as p gift to the community by Herald As&ljoumal CI Bn Ml VALLIV 1FREETICKET REQUEST COUPON- - General admission tickets are FREE but seating is limited To request FREE concert tickets please: Pick up your tickets at The Herald Journal 75 W 300 N or Cache Valley Center for the Arts 43 S Main By Friday Oct 24 at 6:00 pm j Number of tickets requested (4 maximum) Tickets are also available at Center for the Arts at 43 S Main r ir i iwiwir iifi'i wirnfcwiMiiir MOMiWtuM SEEM |