In a heartwarming tale from Chicago, we celebrate the bravery of two remarkable individuals who sprang into action to rescue an infant from the waters of Lake Michigan.
On a breezy day at Belmont Harbor, 30-year-old Lio Cundiff was chatting with his aunt when the atmosphere shifted dramatically. A sudden gust of wind swept through, accompanied by a frantic scream from a nearby woman. Lio quickly realized the urgency of the situation—the wind had lifted a stroller’s bassinet, sending it tumbling into the lake along with the baby inside.
Understanding the panic that had overwhelmed the mother, Lio felt compelled to act. “I just realized that the lady wasn’t able to help because she was in too much panic, which is understandable. So I’m like, ‘I guess I’m going in,’ and I just jumped,” he shared with the Chicago Tribune. Without a clear plan but driven by instinct, Lio plunged into the water.
Once he reached the stroller, he encountered a challenge—he couldn’t free the baby immediately. To prevent the stroller from sinking, he lifted it partially out of the water. Just then, Luis Kapost, an American Airlines pilot, arrived on the scene. His calm demeanor complemented Lio’s courageous impulsiveness. Recognizing that Lio was struggling with the weight of the soaked stroller, he offered one arm of his Chicago Cubs jacket to support him.
Together, they formed a strong team. Holding onto the jacket, Kapost buoyed Lio, waiting for the baby’s nanny to arrive and assist in lifting the stroller to safety. The efforts of these two heroes caught the attention of first responders, who promptly arrived to ensure both Lio and the baby received the care they needed at the hospital.
In the aftermath, Lio made sure to reassure his loved ones. “Yeah, I called work, called my girlfriend. My aunt was on the phone. She heard the whole thing. I just threw my phone down and I guess she called my mom. I was just trying to make sure they all knew I was fine and the baby was good,” he recounted.
Although the weather was pleasant, the lake’s water remained chilly, and the doctors at the hospital noted that Lio had elevated heart enzymes, prompting them to recommend an overnight stay for observation.
Luis Kapost praised his fellow rescuer, stating, “That’s the epitome of a hero, someone who’s going to act, to help somebody else they don’t know even though they’re placing their own life in danger. He’s an absolute rock star.”
As for Lio, he expressed humility in the face of such accolades, viewing himself simply as a server and stand-up comedian who happened to be in the right place at the right time.
This inspiring incident reminds us of the goodness that exists in the world and the power of individuals coming together to help others in need. Let’s celebrate the actions of these heroes and spread the joy of their bravery!
