Sam Patch, an American from Rhode Island, New York, has been heralded as Niagara Falls’ first daredevil. He earned this title on October 7, 1829, when at the age of 23, he dove 85 feet from a platform off of Goat Island into the Niagara River. Patch, an accomplished high-diver, was not satisfied with his first attempt, and he wowed onlookers again when he dove into the river a second time on October 17, 1829, diving over 130 feet into the river. He died not long after while attempting a free fall jump at nearby Genesse Falls.
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