Chicago Boat Crew Saves Man From Frigid River in Winter

When Joe Ratzek saw a splash near the DuSable Bridge on Friday morning, he wasn't sure what hit the water. Within seconds, the Wendella Boat captain realized someone's life was on the line.

The 65-year-old man had fallen into the frigid Chicago River around 11:30 a.m. Ratzek and his crew immediately performed their trained "man overboard procedures" and pulled him onto the boat.

The man wasn't breathing. Passengers aboard the tour boat jumped in to help the crew perform CPR, working together to save a stranger's life.

Their efforts worked. The man regained consciousness before paramedics arrived and took him to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was listed in good condition.

Sunny's Take

This rescue highlights something beautiful about human nature: when crisis strikes, strangers become heroes. The passengers didn't hesitate to help perform CPR alongside the crew, proving that compassion shows up when it matters most.

Andrew Sargis, Wendella's Chief of Operations, explained that their captains train for water emergencies two to three times a month. That preparation paid off in the most important way possible.

"It's very rare to have it happen at this time of year when the water is frigid temperatures, which brings that extra element of danger to it," Sargis said. The cold water made every second count.

Ratzek's initial confusion was understandable. "Sometimes we get people throwing books over the bridges, bags, coke cans and stuff," he said. But the moment he opened the door and heard passengers shouting, he knew exactly what to do.

The crew's monthly training transformed what could have been a tragedy into a rescue story. Their commitment to preparedness, combined with the willingness of passengers to help, gave one man a second chance at life on a cold February morning in Chicago.