Francis A. De Coteau helped to save Henry H. Gibbs from being crushed in a loading machine, Kitimat, British Columbia, August 29, 1971. Gibbs, 56, was in the cab of a loading machine when a huge section of solidified pitch weighing about 300 tons broke off a pile and fell partially on the machine, crushing one side of it and causing one arm of Gibbs to be pinned so that he was unable to get out. Another workman pried open the cab door with a crowbar but was unable to free Gibbs and left to get additional rescue aids. De Coteau, 34, heavy-duty equipment operator, arrived. He ran to the machine and, as the pitch creaked and another slide threatened, tried in vain to free Gibbs. The first workman returned with a hydraulic jack, by means of which Gibbs was freed. His arm had been injured, but he recovered.
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