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Woman thanks officers who saved her after she fell into Detroit River while pregnant

Posted at 5:56 PM, Apr 25, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-26 10:59:18-04

Ethel Woodger has a story to tell - one of survival and gratitude after two Detroit Police officers rescued her and her unborn baby from the Detroit River.

After the dramatic rescue, Ethel's baby was delivered at a local hospital via c-section.

She named her little boy E'Jean Lorenzo Brian Woodger. One of the middle names is in honor of Detroit Police Officer Brian Gadwell who was first to jump into the Detroit River to help save Ethel.

Baby E'jean, who arrived three months early, remains hospitalized, but his mother says she and her son wouldn't be alive if not for Officer Gadwell and his partner Steven Rauser.

Workers from the J.W. Westcott mailboat and other first responders were also part of the rescue.

Ethel and her family hope to thank the officers in person very soon.

Click on the video to hear Ethel recount her ordeal in the water as she struggled to survive and the moment she says Officer Gadwell's arms felt like she was being held by an angel.