 They survived the fall but their barrel became stuck at the bottom of the falls, requiring a rescue.On September 28, 1989, Niagara natives Peter DeBernardi (age 42) and Jeffery James Petkovich (age 25) became the first "team" to make it over the falls in a two-person barrel.The stunt was conceived by DeBenardi, who wanted to discourage youth from following in his path of addictive drug use.