Tightrope walker sets sights on Niagara

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y., May 4 (UPI) -- Famed tightrope walker Nik Wallenda said he will become the first person in more than a century to walk a high wire over Niagara Falls.

Wallenda, a seventh-generation member of circus performing family The Flying Wallendas, said he will cross from the United States to Canada on a 1,800-foot cable June 15, CNN reported Friday.

"This has been a dream for so long, since I was 6 years old," Wallenda said in announcing the stunt Wednesday.

Wallenda said the crossing is expected to take 30 to 40 minutes.

The last tightrope walker to cross the falls was James Hardy in 1896.

Wallenda said he will be the first performer to cross directly over the falls.

"The other people all crossed farther down," he said.