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NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. --- Clarence resident Sharon Parkes has made the 45 minute drive to Niagara Falls twice now to catch Nik Wallenda.

"I think he can cross the water but I do think the harness will protect him and keep him safe.”

Parkes echoed the sentiments of many Tuesday, convinced Wallenda has nothing to fear on June 15, even after Canadian authorities spent two hours rescuing a man who went over the Horseshoe Falls Monday morning.

"Going over the Falls is one thing, I think he just wants to fulfill his dream," Parkes said.

Authorities said the man is the fourth person in history to survive the 180-foot plunge unprotected, mostly due to sheer luck.

Though Wallenda, who wrapped up 11 days of practice at the Seneca Niagara Casino Tuesday morning called the incident tragic, he remains unafraid for his own safety next month.

"I wish that wouldn't happen but I'm very happy that he survived it, and wish him the best," Wallenda said.

Wallenda is set to return home to Florida Tuesday after canceling a scheduled afternoon practice due to fatigue.

His team is due back here in the Falls June 12 to prepare for his big day.

"I've just been going non-stop and to the point where I just feel like mentally I'm so pulled in every different direction with media and everything else."

Wallenda's team will set up the wire for his walk across the Horseshoe Falls three days prior to the actual walk, where he will use a specially designed harness.

That's good news for Lockport resident Carol Ferguson who said June 15 will be extra special this year.

"It's my birthday and it's the day he's walking the Falls and my birthday wish is that he does it safely and he has a ball doing it," she said.