One of the better-known themes in ghost lore is the hand that grasped the ankle. Over time across Canada there have been reports of young women standing by the bank of a waterfall who suddenly felt that someone or some thing had reached out from the cascade of water, holding tight to their ankle. Documented in different places, this phenomena has occurred several times aboard the Maid of the Mist as it makes its way up the Niagara Gorge. Often, this strange and frightening incident is accompanied by calls for help by a young woman who has fallen into the water, shouting for rescue.
Reports of this ghostly contact – this plea for help – have brought us closer to home. Not many years ago, a young woman and her friend were walking along a path at Eugenia Falls in the Beaver Valley. There was a low stone wall, built to keep people from falling over the edge of the falls. Where the wall ended was a place where the river could be forded by stepping on a series of stones that led safely to the far bank.
The young woman hesitated, not sure if she wanted to cross the river or not. As she stood on the river’s bank, high above the floor of the valley, what was a sunny day turned dark. The birds that had been singing throughout the morning, fell silent. Turning to her friend, the young woman asked if they should continue on across the river.
At that moment, a shrill cry for help was heard. Then, something grabbed her by the ankle, trying to pull her towards the lip of the waterfall. Frightened, the pair of hikers ran as fast as possible back toward the highway. Turning, they saw a shadow follow – then vanish. Later, telling their story to Eugenia residents, they discovered that many years ago, a young woman had been thrown over the falls. Her murderer was never captured.
Originally aired October 16th 2016
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