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At 6:25 p.m. Wednesday, New York State Park Police responded to a medical call involving a 42-year-old man who had driven his vehicle into the Niagara Gorge.
While the exact time of the accident is unknown — New York State Parks Police Western District Commander Maj. James Hy said the medical call may have come two hours or four hours after the crash —Mark Heugan of Niagara Falls was in the exterior of the Aquarium of Niagara when police responded. He was transported to Erie County Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
Hy said Heugan is still recovering from those injuries.
According to a press release involving the crash, Heugan drove a 2008 Toyota Tundra through a fence and into the Niagara Gorge in the area of Depot Avenue near the Whirlpool Bridge.
Hy said that, at this time, an investigation into the crash is still ongoing. He could not give a timetable as to when or if any charges against Heugan would be filed, but did say there were no witnesses, and a toxicology report was being put together.
“We don’t have any specific witnesses, but we’re checking the area for businesses with camera images that may be helpful for us in the investigation,” he said.
As for the vehicle, Hy said a plan is being made to take the car out of the Gorge, but nothing is finalized.
“It’s not going to be an easy task,” he said.
No one else was in the vehicle at the time of the crash.
New York State Park Police are investigating, with the assistance of New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Niagara County District Attorney’s Office.
Benjamin Joe contributed to this report.
1859 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island, NY 14072
Phone: 716-773-7676
Fax: 716-773-7190
