Daredevil set for historic tightrope walk across the Niagara Falls

Nik Wallenda practices for his upcoming tightrope walk over the Horseshoe Falls. Credit: Doug Benz / Reuters

A daredevil will attempt to become the first man to walk across the Niagara Falls on a tightrope in 100 years.

Nik Wallenda has been making final preparations for the stunt which will see him walk acrossthe Horseshoe Falls - one of the two huge waterfalls that form the Niagara - on a two-inch thick rope.

Speaking at a press conference, Wallenda said taking part in the stunt would be a "dream come true".

The 33-year-old will wear a safety harness - something he has never worn before - for the stunt which will take place at 10pm local time (Saturday 3am BST).

Wallenda is contracted to wear the tether after signing an agreement with American network ABC, who will broadcast the event live to their audiences. There has been speculation the daredevil will release himself from the harness once he is on the wire but Wallenda has denied this.

The stuntman - who is from a family of daredevils called the Flying Wallendas - will be dedicating the walk to his great-grandfather who died at the age of 73, while attempting a high-wire walk nearly 34 years ago.

  • The distance from one end of Wallenda's tightrope to the other is roughly 1,800 feet.