Community searching for missing woman
Hiker Alicia Kirkwood, 29, fell into Niagara River Friday
A search by friends and volunteers was planned for this morning for a woman who fell into the Niagara River while hiking in the Niagara Gorge with her boyfriend Friday.
The search for Alicia Kirkwood has been organized by Niagara Falls resident Josh Green.
Green is the owner of Go Fitness gym and said he has known Kirkwood and her family for about seven years.
He said Kirkwood has been a “steady client” at the Niagara Falls group fitness and personal training studio, attending workout sessions two or three times per week.
Other members of the family have also been frequent visitors to the gym, he said.
Green described Kirkwood has an “awesome” person who was “very easy to get along with.”
“Always smiling. Great personality. Everybody enjoyed working out with her at the gym.”
Niagara Regional Police spokesperson Stephanie Sabourin said the NRP assisted Niagara Parks Police in the search for the missing 29-year-old.
She said initial investigation revealed Kirkwood fell into the Niagara River at approximately 3 p.m. Friday.
“The area was searched by helicopter and jet boat as well as by foot until dark, with the search resuming Saturday with negative results,” said Sabourin.
Green took to his Facebook page Monday expressing his desire to set up a group hike/search party for today at 10 a.m., starting at the metal stairs leading to the gorge.
“The current quickly swept her away and she has not been found,” he said in the post.
Green said he made the post after learning the news from Kirkwood’s sister.
Green said he saw a photo of Kirkwood on Facebook with comments of condolences underneath, which prompted him to contact her sister to find out what happened.
“She filled me in that (Kirkwood) was hiking in the gorge with her boyfriend Friday (afternoon),” he said.
“There’s a hidden waterfall, they were hiking past along that side, close to the waterfront — a rock gave way, she slipped in, went underneath. (Her boyfriend) did everything that he could to pull her out, or try to save her, but there was not much that he could do at that point.”
Green said Kirkwood’s family has been in the area every day since the incident, and have been receiving updates from official search and rescue units.
Green said he didn’t want to “over step” his boundaries, but told Kirkwood’s sister he would like to invite some of his gym members to come together and help in the search.
“We have a really loyal gym following. But I didn’t imagine (the response) would be this monstrous.”
As of Tuesday morning,
Green’s Facebook post had been shared about 800 times.
“People are coming from Oakville and across the border,” he said.
“Niagara Parks even offered to not charge anybody or ticket anybody (involved in the search) for parking in the area. There’s independent tactical search and rescue units that have offered their services.”
Green said he originally thought “maybe a half-dozen of my clients” would come out.
“It’s absolutely awesome that the community is willing to pull together like this to help out.”
For safety reasons, Green said there will be no hiking/searching directly beside the river, “just in areas where (people) can view the water without getting too close.”
He said drones will also not be allowed.
Green encouraged people to bring water, fully charged cellphones and wear bright coloured clothing, and for people who have them, to bring binoculars.
Due to the overwhelming response to Green’s Facebook post, some concerns have been raised about having such a large group of people in what could be a dangerous area.
Green said he wants to lessen the amount of people who join the search and that “we only want experienced hikers.”
He said those who show up Wednesday morning will be reminded to stay clear of the river’s edge, and to not get in the way of the professionals conducting their search.