by Chicago, Illinois — A frightening scene unfolded along the lakefront Wednesday afternoon when an 8-month-old baby was blown into Lake Michigan inside his stroller, prompting a dramatic rescue by quick-thinking bystanders.
The incident occurred around 3 p.m. at Belmont Harbor, located along North DuSable Lake Shore Drive, according to authorities.
Officials said a strong gust of wind pushed the stroller into the water while the child was inside.
Sudden Gust Sends Stroller Into Lake
Witness Louis Kapost told NBC Chicago that he saw a woman standing near the water with the stroller moments before the incident.
According to Kapost, the woman briefly looked away when a powerful gust of wind swept through the harbor and blew the stroller directly into Lake Michigan.
“The wind just picked up and the stroller just blew right into the lake,” Kapost said.
Fortunately, the stroller remained afloat.
“Thank God the stroller floated. It held on long enough,” he said.
Bystanders Rush to Help
Kapost said a young bystander named Leo jumped into the water to reach the baby while others sprang into action.
The child was reportedly floating face-up in the stroller and never went underwater, according to witnesses.
“He was okay. He was not thrilled about it, but he was never underwater,” Kapost said.
Kapost described the rescue as a “great team effort.” He used his jacket to help pull the stroller toward shore, while others threw a nearby life ring into the water and called 911.
“Took a bunch of us to get the kid out. Luckily, he’s okay. It’s a good thing the life ring was there,” he said.
Baby Transported to Hospital
The Chicago Fire Department confirmed that both the baby and one bystander were transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
Authorities said the infant was initially listed in good condition.
Read Also: Federal, State Authorities Seize Additional Firearms in Ongoing Probe of Pawtucket Arena Shooting
Police detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. No additional details have been released.
Wind Advisory in Effect
At the time of the incident, a wind advisory was in effect for the Chicago area, with gusts reaching approximately 40 miles per hour.
Strong winds have been impacting the lakefront throughout the week, creating hazardous conditions along open shoreline areas.
Not the First Lakefront Wind Incident
Wednesday’s close call is not the first time high winds have pushed a child into Lake Michigan.
In April 2008, a 2-year-old was nearly killed after being blown into the lake during high winds. In 2012, an off-duty firefighter rescued a baby who had been blown into the water near 31st Street Beach.
Authorities continue to remind residents to use caution near the lakefront during high wind events, especially when using strollers or lightweight equipment near open water.
Thanks to the fast response of several bystanders, this frightening situation ended without tragedy.
Have you ever witnessed extreme wind conditions along Chicago’s lakefront? Share your experience in the comments below.
