Video Shows Police Forming Human Chain To Save Man From Lake

CHICAGO — Chicago police have released a bodycam video that shows the rescue of a man from Lake Michigan on Sunday. Five officers grabbed onto each other's belts and formed a chain to save the man.

The 33-year-old was walking his 9-month-old dog Pika near Foster Beach on the city's North Side just after 1 p.m., when the pup darted onto the icy lake and got trapped in the water, police said.

The owner jumped into the lake and was able to rescue the 19-pound dog, however large ice walls prevented the man from getting out of the frigid water himself, police said.

Two witnesses called 911 and officers arrived on scene. The officers formed a chain using a borrowed dog leash and were able to pull the man out of the water.

The man was taken to Weiss Memorial Hospital, where his condition was stabilized.

Both the man and his dog — an adopted American Eskimo mix puppy —are now doing well, police said.

The man told police that he'll be "forever grateful" to them for saving his life.

Top video via Facebook/CPD; top image & 2nd video via YouTube