Man rescued from Chicago River near Madison Street

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A taxi driver and two people passing by helped rescue a man in his late 20s from the Chicago River near Madison Street overnight.

Rescuers said the cab driver and another person in the area saw the man jump into the water around 1 a.m. Wednesday. They immediately called 911. Seth Rems was walking home when he heard the man's cries for help. Rems broke the glass holding a life preserver with a piece of concrete and threw the life ring to him.

"I take this walk home late every night. I'm just glad I knew where the preserver was and that I was able to get it open quick enough, man. I know it's really cold down there right now and I wanted to help get that guy out of there," Rems said.

By the time first responders helped the victim to shore, he was visibly exhausted from his effort to stay afloat.

"The life ring saved his life. It kept him afloat until the fire department got on the scene," Chicago Fire Department Deputy District Chief Ron Dorneker said.

The man was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he is listed in stable condition.