VIDEO: The anguished rescue of a man who fell on a frozen lake in Chicago for saving his dog

"Oh, my God, oh my God … thanks!", a man appalled after being rescued Sunday by Chicago police officers from Lake Michigan, a frozen lake.

The official report indicated that the man was found among the ice blocks of the lake when He tried to save his nine-month-old puppy who had remained motionless in the body of the water.

"He started shouting, "Help me, help me! Then we started cautiously approaching the ice to reach it, "said officer Miguel del Toro at a press conference on Monday.

Five Chicago police officers formed a human chain to reach the man who was in danger of death because the water was at the freezing point 34 °F (1 °C) They used belts and leash of the dog during the process.

"I am very happy that we arrived quickly because the weather was extreme"said Sergeant Silva.

The man was removed from the water with signs of hypothermia. His body temperature was 33 °C.

The Chicago police published the photo "Pika", the dog that his owner tried to save.

"They are fine"said the ministry about the man and the dog, who are already recovering.

The rescued man sent a letter to the police in which he said that he would always appreciate the heroic actions of the police.

"I do not doubt that he would be dead without help. I will be grateful forever. & # 39; Paik & # 39; and I are fully recovered and beholden to our heroes"said the subject who preferred to remain anonymous.

CHICAGO, COLDER MORE EVEREST AND ANTARCTIC

A polar vortex caused record temperatures in the US Midwest. In Chicago is expected up to -32 ° C with a thermal sensation of -45 ° C , a smaller register than in polar regions like Antarctica or mountains like Everest in the Himalayas.

Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois have rushed through the cold snap. Same as temperate weather conditions like Alabama and Mississippi.

The National Weather Service (NWS) said that a person could freeze in less than ten minutes if you went out in extreme conditions and without the proper equipment.

"I would say that the intensity of this cold air is unique in this last generation," said John Gagan, an NWS badyst.

In Iowa, authorities have asked those concerned not to be exposed to the outdoors, to avoid deep breathing and avoid long conversations outdoors.

The worst weather conditions are forecast for Wednesday and Thursday.