Wendella Boat Crew Rescues Man Who Fell From Chicago Bridge

The man was pulled from the Chicago River and taken to the hospital in good condition.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A Wendella boat crew rescued a 65-year-old man who had fallen off the Michigan Avenue bridge in downtown Chicago on Friday morning. The man was initially unresponsive but regained consciousness after the crew performed CPR. He was then transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in good condition.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the importance of quick emergency response and rescue efforts on the Chicago River, which can be dangerous for those who fall in, especially from bridges. Wendella's boat crews play a crucial role in monitoring the river and being prepared to assist in these types of emergencies.

The details

According to Chicago police and Wendella officials, the man fell off the DuSable Bridge around 11:30 a.m. on Friday. The Wendella boat crew was able to pull the man from the water and perform CPR until he regained consciousness. It is unclear exactly how the man fell from the bridge.

  • The man fell off the DuSable Bridge around 11:30 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026.
  • The Wendella boat crew rescued the man and performed CPR shortly after the incident occurred.

The players

Wendella

A company that operates boat tours and cruises on the Chicago River.

Chicago Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the incident.

Northwestern Memorial Hospital

The hospital where the rescued man was transported and treated.

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What’s next

Authorities will likely investigate the circumstances surrounding how the man fell from the bridge, and determine if any safety measures need to be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The takeaway

Wendella's boat crews play a crucial role in monitoring the Chicago River and being prepared to assist in emergencies, demonstrating the importance of having trained personnel and resources available to respond quickly to incidents on the water.