No. 335

Acrobat set to tightrope walk across Niagara Falls

A man from a celebrated family of professional daredevils is set to attempt a tightrope walk across Niagara Falls in a televised stunt.

Nik Wallenda is scheduled to make a 1,800ft (550m) walk from the US to Canada on a 2-inch (61mm) wire at 10:15 EST (02:15 GMT).

Crowds have already begun forming at Goat Island, where he will begin his walk.

Mr Wallenda is the seventh generation of the famed Flying Wallendas.

The family has performed for more than 200 years, including the signature act that gave the group their name, where two pairs of performers walk the wire, each supporting another aerialist on a pole.

Those two aerialists, in turn, carry a pole upon which the seventh member of the troupe balances in a chair.

The family has suffered two deaths from falls while performing, including Mr Wallenda's grandfather in 1978.

Read more |  BBC News, 16.06.12

Design by Jess Parker
Download the MITN iPhone app
Add us on Facebook
Made in the Now Three Sixty Five