A hero jumped into the frigid waters of Lake Michigan on Wednesday afternoon to save an eight-month-old girl.
The infant was sitting in her stroller at Belmont Harbor on Chicago’s North Side when disaster struck.
Witnesses say a sudden, powerful gust of wind caught the stroller around 3 p.m.
The wind pushed the stroller across the pavement in the 3200 block of North Lake Shore Drive.
The baby and the stroller plunged directly into the deep, cold water of the harbor.
Lio Cundiff was nearby and heard the mother’s desperate screams for help.
Cundiff told reporters he does not even know how to swim.
He said he realized he only had seconds to act before the child was lost.
Cundiff jumped into the lake without hesitation to reach the sinking stroller.
He struggled to keep the eight-month-old girl’s head above the surface.
The baby dipped under the water a few times during the frantic struggle.
Cundiff managed to stabilize the stroller and keep the infant breathing.
Other witnesses rushed to the edge of the harbor to pull the pair back onto dry land.
Paramedics rushed the baby girl to Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
Doctors listed the infant in good condition following the harrowing ordeal.
Cundiff was also hospitalized for heart monitoring and observation after the rescue.
He says he is just happy he was in the right place at the right time.
The Chicago Police Department is currently investigating the specifics of the incident.
Harbor Safety Concerns
Belmont Harbor is a popular destination for Chicago families and runners.
However, the paved paths near the water often lack physical barriers or railings.
High winds are a frequent danger along the lakefront, especially during seasonal transitions.
This rescue comes as a reminder of how quickly the Lake Michigan shoreline can become dangerous.
In recent years, Chicago officials have faced calls to improve safety measures near deep-water harbors.
Similar incidents involving equipment or pets blowing into the lake have occurred during high-wind advisories.
The water temperature in Lake Michigan remains dangerously cold during the early months of the year.
Hypothermia can set in within minutes for both adults and small children.
The quick actions of bystanders like Cundiff are often the only thing preventing a tragedy in these areas.
Local residents are now calling for increased awareness for parents using strollers on windy days.
