Shane Douglas Burger, 46, of Pavilion, New York, died Monday, June 21, 2021, at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York, after battling a lengthy
illness.
Burger received the Carnegie Medal in 2003 for rescuing Christine E. Flint from burning after a July 17, 2002, car accident in Stafford, New York, left her unconscious in the driver seat of her vehicle, which was wedged underneath a tractor-trailer.
Burger, 27, restaurant manager, witnessed the accident and stopped at the scene. He attempted to open Flint’s door.
Flames licked the trailer and car as Burger leaned through the window of the driver’s door and attempted to free Flint, who was still wearing her seat belt. Withdrawing because of the heat and smoke, Burger re-entered and released her seat belt. He leaned into the car again and pulled Flint through the window to safety before flames engulfed the car.
Burger sustained lacerations to his arms and suffered minor smoke inhalation. He recovered.
Burger was born October 18, 1974, to parents Douglas and Lorna Burger. In 1993, he graduated from Pavilion High School and went on to attend St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York.
Burger worked in restaurant management at Batavia Downs, Creekside Inn, Taco Bell, Tully’s, and Woody’s.
In addition to being named a Carnegie hero, Burger was also honored with the VITA Samaritan Award for performing CPR on a co-worker in cardiac arrest.
Burger is survived by his parents; his son, Kaden; aunts; uncles; and cousins.