Chicago surgeon dies saving two drowning boys

Dr. Donald Liu, chief surgeon at Comer Children's Hospital at the University of Chicago Medicine, died while trying to rescue two children in Lake Michigan. / University of Chicago

(CBS News) LAKESIDE, Mich. - A Chicago surgeon who dedicated his life to saving the lives of children died Sunday as he tried to rescue two young boys in Lake Michigan.

Dr. Donald Liu, 50, was spending the weekend at the lake with his wife and three children when, from the beach, he saw two young boys struggling in the water, CBS Chicago station WBBN reports.

The surgeon got the boys to safety, but he never made it back to land as he was pulled under by the rip current.

Colleagues described Liu as a brilliant doctor. He was the chief surgeon at the University of Chicago's Comer Children's Hospital and was an internationally known expert in pediatric minimally invasive surgery.

"Don's death personifies a life that was devoted to saving children," said Dr. Kenneth S. Polonsky, dean of the University of Chicago's Medical School, in an e-mail published by the Sun-Times Media Wire.

[Rodeo_Joe]

Hats off, Lads. Honor him!

[pizzedallover]

There is something very wrong with this story. Anyone familiar with the ocean would know that rip currents do NOT "pull you under" - they push you out from shore. So, what really happened to the doc?

[LakeFrontFootage]

it's a lake not an ocean and rip currents, or rip tides, do in fact pull you under if you try to fight them. It's sad to see the low flying planes and low flying helicopters on the rough days. Unfortunately, that's what really happened to the doc.

[lillyhorton]

This man represents the word HERO cbs. Not some athlet winning the game.

[RealiteBites]

Some of these stories today are so sad ...

Usually all we have to read about are Romney and Obama acting like clowns ...

My thoughts go out to his family :(

[FormerUSMCSergeant]

by newster90210 August 6, 2012 9:40 PM EDT
Would have been better if he messed out ...

---
Messed out?

What is that?

Is it supposed to make any sense to anyone other than you?

[FormerUSMCSergeant]

by TxRancher1951 August 6, 2012 5:42 PM EDT
I believe if you give your life while trying to save another you are guaranteed entry into heaven.
---
We will not consider you to be much of a skeptic as you obviously believe in invisible beings in invisible places and not only that, but that they control our 3,000,000,000+ destinies as well.

Quite a load to swallow.......

[FormerUSMCSergeant]

Hey McCain- THIS is what a real hero looks like.

Not a fool like you who runs around calling himself one.

[byrdh5n1]

To be clear, John McCain has never called himself a hero. A lot of other people have.... but he has not. But a guy who refuses special treatment in a prisoner of war camp.... for YEARS..... You should pick a different target, gunny.....

[water-ratt]

This is so sad! There were at least 6 fatal drownings on the Great Lakes Sunday. According to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project there have been 69 fatal drownings on the Great Lakes so far this year, last year there were 87. Rip currents are the biggest danger on the Great Lakes and everyone should learn what to do if they're caught in one. FLIP, FLOAT and FOLLOW!
FLIP over onto your back and try to keep from panicking.
FLOAT with the current to see where it is taking you, DO NOT FIGHT against the current, it's like a treadmill.
FOLLOW the safest path back to safety. There is no such thing as "undertow" the current will not pull you down. Control the panic and go with the flow.
For more information:
http://david-benjamin.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Great-Lakes-Surf-Rescue-Project/120501018657

[marcie10000]

THANK YOU waterratt! All of the news stories about this tragedy should repeat what you just wrote.

[pizzedallover]

You are absolutely right. The reporting of this piece is shamefully inaccurate and very poorly researched.

[mrleme]

Rest in Peace, may you hear the words, Well Done

[Verascity]

Deepest sympathy to this hero's family and friends.

I hope the boys he saved will live their lives in ways that benefit others.