A tourist from Ohio suffered a broken clavicle (collarbone) and a possible concussion after being hit on the head by a falling 50-gallon plastic trash drum. It happened around 10:30 p.m Wednesday night, as the woman, 50, was walking with her family along the former Rainbow Centre Mall parking ramp in downtown Niagara Falls. Detectives believe the family had walked to the Falls to see the fireworks display.
Pictures sent to 7 Eyewitness News from "The Action Niagara Falls" show the scene as police responded.
Niagara Falls police are investigating the incident which happened at the same time as police were dealing with a situation where an out-of-state man, also from Ohio, drove to Niagara Falls with a woman's body in his car.
Police say it appears that someone took the 50-gallon container and dropped it off the top of the ramp onto the woman.
Police held a press conference this morning addressing both issues. You can hear more about the falling trash container in the attached clip.
Niagara Falls police are asking anyone with information to call the confidential tip line at 286-4591.
The trash can incident has upset officials because it is prime tourist season with areas around Niagara Falls State Park filled with crowds of people.
7 Eyewitness News Reporter Ed Reilly talked with John Percy, President & CEO for Destination USA, about how this incident combined with other recent negative news stories from Niagara Falls (River sludge and body in a car) are complicating marketing and public relations efforts.
