Perhaps one of the most miraculous Niagara stories took place on July 9th, 1960, 55 years ago when a seven year old accidentally went over the Canadian Horseshoe Falls wearing only a life jacket and a bathing suit and lived.

Here’s what happened. Roger Woodward was on a boat which accidentally got caught in the Upper Rapids above the falls. He was in this small boat with his sister Deanne and the owner of the boat James Honeycutt. The boat went over the falls with Honeycutt and young Roger. Mr. Honeycutt lost his life while Roger was picked up below the falls without any major injuries by the one of the Maid of the Mist boats. Miraculously his sister Deanne was scooped just at the brink of the falls on the U.S. side of the border by two tourists and she also survived.

I have met Roger and his family many times over the years when they visited Niagara Falls. 62 year old Roger remains a quiet, unassuming person who believes he was saved by the hand of God.

Two miracles occurred that day.

Here is a photo of him being pulled out of the lower Niagara River by crew members of the Maid of the Mist.