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1 dead, 1 missing and 1 hospitalized after going into the Chicago River
The incident occurred early Monday morning when a 26-year-old man accidentally fell into the Chicago River while trying to retrieve his dropped phone along the riverwalk around 12:05 a.m. His two companions, a 21-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man, followed him into the water in an attempt to help. Tragically, the young man later passed away at Northwestern Memorial Hospital at 3:14 a.m. due to the injuries sustained during the incident. The authorities have not released his name as they are yet to inform his family. Meanwhile, the 21-year-old woman remains missing and is presumed deceased. The 23-year-old man was rushed to Presence Saint Joseph Hospital, where he is currently listed in stable condition.
According to Chicago Fire Department Chief Juan Hernandez, rescue teams from both the Chicago Police and Fire Departments managed to pull the two men out of the icy waters near 429 East North Water Street, approximately 100 yards west of Lake Shore Drive in the Streeterville neighborhood. A purse belonging to the missing woman was discovered close to the spot where she disappeared beneath the surface. Witnesses first alerted authorities to the emergency just after midnight, but the initial rescue efforts quickly shifted to a recovery mission around 1:30 a.m. The search was ultimately suspended at 3 a.m., as confirmed by Chicago Police Department News Affairs Officer Hector Alfaro.
In the frantic hours that followed, a total of about two dozen police officers, firefighters, and paramedics descended on the scene to assist. Two boats were deployed for the rescue: one large vessel from the Chicago Fire Department's Engine 2 and a smaller craft from the Chicago Police Department's marine unit. The operation was nothing short of intense. At one point, a Chicago Police Department diver braved the freezing conditions by sliding across the ice from his boat, tethered by a safety line, before plunging into the frigid depths below.
Meanwhile, Chicago Fire Department divers scaled down ladders from above, entering the river directly. Above them, firefighters and police worked tirelessly to clear snow and break apart ice slabs using poles to create safer access points. Three firefighters from the Chicago Fire Department took turns diving into the river, each making multiple entries in hopes of locating the missing woman. Despite these relentless efforts, Chief Linda Parsons announced that the search proved unsuccessful after more than an hour of continuous rotations. The scene was then handed over to Chicago police for recovery operations, effectively ending the firefighting department's involvement.
As dawn approached, the grim reality set in. The initial victims were airlifted to nearby hospitals in critical condition, though only one survived. The community remains heartbroken, mourning the loss of life and praying for answers regarding the fate of the missing woman. The events of this fateful night serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by Chicago's unpredictable winter waters and the bravery of those who risk everything to save others.
Attached below are images captured by Ken Herzlich, providing a glimpse into the challenging conditions faced by rescuers throughout the ordeal. [Image description: Chicago Police and Fire Department divers searching the Chicago River under difficult circumstances.]