NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WKBW) — U.S. Border Patrol says a man swam across the Niagara River near the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge Tuesday evening.
Border Patrol says agents who responded to the report of an adult male swimming across the Niagara River found a life vest and swim fins on the shoreline just south of the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge, the male was no longer in the area.
Local authorities were alerted to a possible vehicle that was involved, that vehicle was located at a local mall around 3 a.m. Wednesday.
According to authorities, when law enforcement arrived the suspected swimmer and two other individuals believed to be involved were arrested.
The suspected swimmer and one of the individuals are citizens of Spain, it was discovered the driver of the vehicle is a citizen of the U.S.
This individual placed himself in extreme danger by swimming across the Niagara River in attempt to illegally enter the U.S. and is lucky to have survived the ordeal. The river is immensely hazardous with rapids, strong currents and low water temperatures.
