A quick correction: at one point in this video I give the date of this incident as the 4th of *August*. I should have said the 4th of *February*. I can't quite believe I let this one slip by me - it'd be a pretty exceptional year if there was an ice bridge in the middle of summer!

Just 17 years old. Such a selfless and brave young man.

And then just two months later the Titanic would hit an ice berg and sink. Not a good year to mess with with ice.

"The Stantons knelt down on the ice, kissed, and held one another as they entered the rapids... They had been married for six years...they died together, and in a place they clearly loved." However long it has been since someone cried for them, I'm making up for that time now.

Imagine losing your son that way. You feel so proud yet utterly devastated at the same time.

17 years old and still wanted to save others despite that situation being very scary. That is a true hero right there.

This was oddly touching, in that the boy died trying to save others, and the married couple died in a place they loved.

And this is why you should NEVER get on ice that has moving water underneath.

I’m a grown ass man, fighting back tears, I can’t quite put it to words.. a very good video. He was just a boy, and he did the best he could. I’m so proud of him. And cheers to the couple, holding true to the saying, “Until death due us part,” yet here they looked at each other and knew.. “I will never let you go.” Again fighting back tears just wow, thank you for this video.

Its so sad and kinda heartwarming when those two folks waved goodbye at each other, and especially when the two couple kissed before falling :(

It's very profound that people often risk their lives to save strangers. It's one of the great things about humanity.

All three of them were beautiful people. May they rest in peace.

Man. I've seen videos on this channel about stampedes and fires that killed hundreds of children, but there's something so uniquely devastating about this story. This man ran _away_ from safety in order to help a total stranger and he ended up dying literal seconds before being rescued. This story gives you so much hope only to yank it away at the last second.

It’s heartbreaking when someone dies in a tragedy but even worse when a rescue effort fails, just when they think they have saved them from Oblivion 😢 😢

I can only hope to face my death with the courage of Burrell Hecock and the grace and dignity of the Stantons.

This tragedy really brings home the things that in this day and age we sometimes take for granted..rescue helicopters and the brave, highly trained men and women who pilot them or perform the rescues, and the ability to winch people to safety, all things yet to be brought into existence in 1912, yet these are the kind of tragedies that inspired innovation.

I live in Niagara falls Canada and it always blows my mind that people felt safe enough to be on that ice. Then again, we still have tourists that climb over the fences to take pics and fall in. RIP to those poor souls.

What a heartbreaking story man! Hecock was a hero! I'm glad they made a memorial

Heartbreaking simply heartbreaking 😢💔🙏May these souls R.I.P. “Don’t tell my mother” hit me hard. Loss of a child it’s biggest pain in life.

My God this was so depressing. Very courageous and selfless of the man trying to save the couple.

This is why I love this channel, not only have I learnt a fascinating piece of history, but truly heroic people are now forever remembered as they should be. RIP Burrell Hecock, Eldridge Stanton and Clara Stanton.

I think this channel has the best, most respectful presentation and truly puts the "fascinating" in "Fascinating Horror" because every event is presented with such thorough research and care. Keep up the great work!

Once ... in 1975, I was on my summer vacation alone at the age of 18. It was a Baltic Sea cost with beautiful sandy beach. That day a very strong wind was blowing from the coast to the direction of the open sea. A little boy 8-10 years old was swimming close to the shore on the top of the pumped float without anybody watching for him. With every strong blow of the wind he was pushed so quickly away from the shore. Situation was very critical. Beach was without any Life Guard supervision. Even if the beach was full of the people, nobody did anything to save the boy on the float. One older University student and I we decided quuickly to approach the owner of the little pumped dinghy with the little paddles, which we had put on your palms. Using the dinghy, and with the support of the wind blowing from the coast, we get the boy on the float pretty fast in a couple of minutes. The worst just started after that. With the big waves and the wind blowing against us and with the boy anchored to our dinghy .... we had to return to the shore. It took us almost a full hour to get there, fighting with the strong wind and huge waves against our direction to the shore. The older University student and I ... we were also scared, because even if we were paddling with all our powers it looked like we are not moving an inch closer to the shore. We were feeling at the end of our muscles possible strength. Honestly, I have no idea of how we finally came closer to the shore. Somehow, some strong men voluntarily jumped together to the waves forming a kinda chain of the people ... so, finally they grabbed the dinghy and float with three of us, and they delivered us to the shore. People had to remove us from the dinghy and put us flat on the sand, because we were physically so exhausted, and couldn't do it on our own. Student and I ... we had to recover, laying down on the sand for about one hour, before we could slowly stand up again on our own. One more a very young human soul was saved that day !! *> Amen.* That particular day, the most happy person on that beach that time, was the crazy mother of that young boy !!! I am not so sure, if I would do something like that again ..... Oh boy !!!! :o( But that day, that time at that place ... somebody had to act quickly. The GOD choose me to do it - so I did it.

Hecock was from my city! Cleveland, our boy 😭 I've visited Niagara many times and I'm rarely emotionally affected by disaster cases. This one hit hard and as silly as it sounds made me cry. Everyone tried so hard and I admire Hecock so much for risking his life, and how the two lovers accepted their fates so peacefully. I'd like to think they're out there, timeless spirits watching over the majestic falls.

The fact that there was an eyewitness to corroborate that Hecock tried to hang on with his teeth at the very end? Chilling.

Burrell Hecock, Ignacious Roth, and Eldridge Stanton are the most old-timey names I’ve ever heard.

I always like your hopeful, positive spin you put on these dark, disturbing stories of disaster and tragedy. You're not just some creepy ghoulish death-hag. Have you done a story on the Le Man's tragedy of the 1950s where a destroyed race car engine sliced into the crowd, killing many onlookers? If not, it's a good suggestion, I think.

Awesome documentary! Very well done. Watched the entire thing. Nice job!

This is heartbreaking: "When Clara Stanton fell, her husband called out for help. Hecock, who had been headed in the other direction, stopped and then ran to their assistance. Roth called out to his friend, "Can't you make it?" to which Hecock replied, "No. Goodbye. Don't tell my mother.""

It's actually kind of a relief to hear about a disaster that doesn't leave you exasperated and angry with penny pinchers and corrupt safety inspections. This wasn't a borderline malicious act of negligence, it's just a tragedy.

I love the falls, but there is something so intimidating about them that they actually scare me. While that won't stop me from visiting, I'd never challenge them in any way.

What a heartbreaking, yet tragically beautiful story. From Hecock's bravery to the Stanton's love for each other almost seems like something from a movie. Next time I visit Niagara Falls, I'll have to look for that memorial and give my respects to those three.

hecock is absolutely a hero, but can we also discuss how mr. stanton put saving his wife first at every attempt?

So heartbreaking! It brought me to tears that Mr. Stanton tried to save his wife and not himself, and Hecock was so brave. It’s a tragically romantic ending for that couple. I’m glad that there’s a memorial. :(

What a brave young boy! And thanks for wrapping up the Stanton's story with such a nice bow. Im sure many of us will go much more peacefully, but I'm not sure many of us will be as AT peace as those 2.

It made me so sad when Hecock didn’t have the strength to hold on. As an aerialist it seems so clear to me to just put your foot in a foot wrap climb position and stand up on the rope without having to hold on with your arm strength. Climbing a rope is a niche skill and there are so few real world ways to utilise it. Still, it’s really tragic that such an easy maneuver might have saved his life.

Worked near the falls, was a licensed tour guide, and personally visited that plaque so many times. No matter how often, I always choke up a little thinking of the bravery of that kid trying to save someone. Scary to think just a few years later he'd have been a soldier in WWI.

Anyone who has ever seen the whirlpool rapids up close knows how truly scary that violent water is. I can only imagine the hopelessness they must've felt at that moment. 6 million cubic feet of water per minute is a hard number to understand even tho I've been to the falls many times.

Once again, I appreciate the bits of happiness or positivity that can be salvaged from a tragedy. Hecock died a hero and can be remembered lovingly for his efforts. The Stantons died together, able to be with the one they loved in a place they loved. It’s so very sad, but it’s nice to be able to remember something good about these lives lost. May they rest in peace.

Can we acknowledge the fact that Mr. Stanton prioritized saving his wife first before his own self? Like him failing the second time to get the rope tied around her he just gives up and doesn’t even attempt to try and save himself(which probably would’ve been easier to do since I can only imagine it’s more difficult tying a rope around someone else in the conditions there were in then it is for yourself), like he had the mentality of “if I can’t save my wife then I’m not gonna save myself because I don’t wanna live without her!”. Like I genuinely wonder what was going trough Mrs. Stanton’s mind after he gave up the second time, was it worry for his safety? Fear that they’re not gonna make it? Did she have a moment of joy knowing that she married someone who cared so much about her that he was willing to give up a chance to save himself when he couldn’t save her first? I really do hope that she at least died knowing just how much her husband loves her, and that he died knowing she loved him just as much. Sorry I got a bit emotional there for a second.

For all the terrible things humans are capable of, it's good to remember how selfless and courageous we can also be.

The fact the Stantons resided themselves to their fate, kneeling together and kissing one last time, is gutwrenching as much as Hecock being only 17 when he died trying to save them.

This popped up in my recommended while I was at Niagara Falls. Needless to say, I clicked and enjoyed the video.

Grabbing tissues while listening to “My Heart Will Go On”…

This one hit really hard for somehow. Hecock for succumbing to exhaustion really underlines the physical limits of our bodies. He wanted to live, but his body just said no more and that was it. The Stantons for their dignified deaths, accepting the inevitable and going out together with love in their hearts. I can't imagine the sense of hopelessness they felt when Mr. Stanton gave up on tying the rope, but I bet the sense of calm they felt upon accepting what was going to happen made it less intense. Poor people.

I live near Niagara. The amount of people that intentionally jump in or commit suicide yearly is crazy. It’s so frequent that officials purposely do not report these events to public in order to try and prevent it becoming a macabre suicide destination.

I’m used to watching awful and heartbreaking stories, and this one was the only video that made me cry on your channel. RIP Hecock and the Stantons

I'm shocked by how many of these I've never heard of. You have a new subscriber, I just discovered this channel and have addictively been watching several of these reports in a row today. Well done. The right tone, excellently written.

I wonder if they might have survived had the rescuers been smart enough to tie some nooses into the ropes beforehand. People always overestimate the human ability to cling to a rope

Mr Stanton trying to save his wife before himself, sounds like he was an honorable man. Respect.

Just found this channel lastnight and have been binging since then, this might be the first channel I ever "finish" and have to wait for more.... I'm excited to see! Awesome job FH this channel is amazing!👏🏽

Literally the only documentary type video on youtube i watched more than once. Something about it just gets me right in the heart

That was so moving. All three faced their death with such bravery it breaks my heart.

Born and raised in NF, NY... I cannot imagine ever walking across an ice bridge at the base of the Falls. That thundering water is so powerful and terrifying.

Thanks for making this. I've watched several of your videos in this series, and this is the best one to me. So far at least.

Thank you for always making such high-quality videos that honor and respect the victims to such a high degree.

The “the fourth of August” statement threw me for a loop saying, ‘No wonder the ice bridge broke, it was SUMMER!’

109 years on May we remember them. I hope they know that on some strange technology to them that people across the world are hearing their story and thinking of them

This one hits harder than the others. I think it's because this had only 3 victims, so we got to hear the details of each, as though they were main characters in a story. Which reminds me of that famous quote "The death is one man is a tragedy. The death of millions is a statistic." It pains me to say it, but there's some truth to that.

Beautifully done! Thank you for sharing this video!

A hero can appear when least expected and in the guise of someone you might never expect. Honoring Burrell Hecock for his unselfish sacrifice. You have presented a number of stories which have included tales of ordinary people becoming instant heroes. Thank you for that. They deserve to be remembered.

You can tell this wasn't the result of a commercial accident, as they placed a marker. Rarely do we get to see a marker when the entity owning the land (eg. amusement parks) wants to pretend nothing bad ever happened.

This one hit me the hardest. That brave young boy. And the connection that he made with the couple he tried to save. I am so moved.

A pleasure to watch your videos which are without distracting 'music/noise' or superfluous fillers. Thanks!

What an interesting story. Makes me sad to think such a heroic man and lovely couple lost their lives in such a horrific way.

In NY's slate and shale rapids, bodies often get caught in "the keeper" - that place between the falling water and the base of the jump or falls it plunges over. Beneath the surface it's a death-trap washing machine from which nothing escapes except by erosion.

I really enjoy your channel ! You're doing an excellent job of telling these stories direct and to the point but while keeping them interesting and exciting , however tragic they may be ! Dude was truly a heroic young man to risk his life at 17 !!

Such a sad story, R.I.P. Mr. HECOCK. 🙏😇

This one was more touching than I expected. It was incredibly tragic, but it showed the best of what humans can be for one another. That ability to be truly selfless is our strength. RIP Burrell Hecock, Eldridge Stanton, and Clara Stanton

The fact they were seen kissing at the end is really very romantic in a gloomy, Gothic sort of way.

I've watched the majority of your videos, and I can safely say this one broke my heart more than the others. Just the little details like how he and his friend were having a snowball fight moments before the bridge collapsed or how he and the couple waved goodbye to each other as the ice broke apart. I can't believe how selfless and compassionate that young man was. I hope somehow Burrell and the Stantons know we haven't forgotten them

Just discovered your channel ,love it ,subscribed,thats a sad story

"Greater love hath no man than this, that he give up his life for another.

If only one of the rescuer had thought to tie a loop in the end of the ropes. It could've saved all of them. Everyone should know how to tie a bowline.

I am an avid fan and a subscriber and I want to thank you for your style of narrating. I have watched through all your videos at least once, and have learned a lot, especially on how to be aware of the fire hazard and scan my exits in any public venue I go to. Other than that I really love your soothing voice and I often use your videos to help me fall asleep. My mind is often racing before sleep, and I am unable to get a good night's sleep, but listening to your videos that I've watched before helps me fall asleep fast. I love them. I am also grateful that you don't put ads every 2 minutes (like some) and in this way, I can really use the video to catch some sleep. Thank you. Please continue what you're doing, I love your channel.

I rented an old mansion with a bunch of friends right on the river above the Falls. It’s a beautiful area. I love the white noise that it provided at night.

I cried a little. May they rest in peace.

Oh my God. I have lived by The Falls my entire life and I can't even fathom going down to walk on the ice in the winter. It's a beautiful sight, everything around it frozen from the mist... very surreal... but I'd NEVER go down there. Not even if I was paid to! Lol!

It's a pity that we'll never get to see what the falls looked like to 19th century tourists. Most of the water is now diverted for power generation before it gets to the falls. An idea was floated to let all the water go over the falls for one day, but then it was realized that that much water would rip out and flood everything downstream.

love your videos :) can listen to your videos all night

This story is both more heroic and more horrific than I was expecting.

Having grown up and lived on the Great Lakes, and in snow country, I was taught that one should never, not ever, trust that the ice is stable enough to hold even a lightweight person, and most certainly not to trust it enough to risk getting more than a few feet from shore. I'm 68 now, and even though I moved to mid MO four years ago to get away from those winter storms and snow, I still never trust that ice, even here, is strong enough or stable enough, to hold me. I live nowhere near water, but those many years of all the adults around me teaching us kids about winter everything---safety, driving, walking, etc.---sticks with me!

I’ve lived in Buffalo NY almost my whole life, just 20 minutes from the falls, go there pretty often and I’ve never heard of this before

Excellent production as always, it's always uplifting when the noblest traits of mankind emerge in the worst of circumstances!!!🙏🙏🙏

one of the most underrated youtube channels.

I can't even imagine how terrifying it would have been to be floating on that chunk of ice for an hour knowing there was a good chance I wouldn't make it. They were all so brave.

What an immensely brave and noble young man who gave up his chance of rescue to help another. His parents, while heartbroken, should have been proud of their son's selflessness.

I love the spooky background music... Top content, thanks!

It's nice (albeit sad for the losses) to hear a story that isn't an unbelievable string of neglect from "professionals" and workmen trying to cut corners.

So sad. I had never heard of this. The Titanic sinking probably took over the news soon after.

Thanks for the video ! 🤗👍 I like your calm and clear voice 😊

My grandmother would have been 21 and 'eloped' that year. This would have been reading news for her and my grandfather. Thanks for the time travel connection.

I've been to Niagara several times from the UK on holiday, during the winter as well as summer. It's beautiful. The force of that water is unbelievable!! But, it does draw you so I understand people wanting to to get as close as possible. The rapids! OMG, these then lead to the whirl pool. A 17 year old lad fell in while I was there one time. It took a week for his body to emerge from the whirlpool.

I lived in Lewiston and Niagara Falls until I left for the military in 1979. The river and falls are fraught with death.

Thank You for this Info.

Great video, thank you.

That boy's courage gained him immortality a way that most of us will never achieve. A tragic way to do so, but he will be remembered long after most of us are forgotten. In the normal course of things, it's doubtful that anyone, even his decendants would even remember his name today.

I so enjoy your straightforward reporting, with a genuine care for the victims and the truth, utterly lacking in our so called media today.

Damn the ice flow breaking up and leaving them on the wrong half is heartbreaking. What an astounding, horrific event. RIP to those lost.

I remember so well my one and only trip to Niagara Falls as a boy. I remember the feeling cold dread yet wonder as I looked upon the Horseshoe side of the mighty falling water when riding The Maid of the Mist. It was such an experience for me as a child, seeing something so beautiful yet so monumentally dangerous and from then on my respect for the power of the falls was solidified. Which makes hearing this story so heartbreaking. The next time I visit the wondrous site again I'll be sure to think of those who lost their lives in this event.