Divers Pull Woman's Body From Chicago River Two Days After Mishap
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Two days after a man and a woman dove into the icy Chicago River to save a friend who went into the water to get a dropped cell phone, Chicago Police divers pulled the woman's body from the water on Wednesday.
The young man who went after his phone also died.
Shortly after midnight Monday, 26-year-old Ken Hoang dropped his phone onto the ice floating on the river along the Chicago Riverwalk, just west of Lake Shore Drive. He climbed the railing, and went onto the ice to try to grab his phone, and fell in the frigid water.
His cousin, Quoc-Viet Phan Hoang, and their friend, Lauren Li, jumped in the river after him. Witnesses said they called 911 after hearing cries for help.
Divers pulled Ken Hoang and Quoc-Viet Phan Hoang out of the river a short time later, but could not locate Li.
Ken Hoang later died at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Quoc-Viet Phan Hoang was treated at Presence Saint Joseph Hospital, and was expected to be released on Wednesday.
Divers searched the water for Li's body for several hours on Monday and Tuesday, but did not find her body until Wednesday afternoon.
The three had been visiting Chicago from Minnesota.
Phan Hoang issued a statement through the hospital saying one of his friends died in his arms and he saw the other drift away. Hoang said he's never felt so helpless.
