Robert B. Burke, 24, machinist, rescued Edward D. Horning from a submerged helicopter, Chippawa, Ontario, August 5, 1969. A helicopter piloted by Horning, 32, fell into the Niagara River and sank in an overturned position 65 feet from the bank. Horning, unconscious, was held by his seat belt inside the bubble-type cockpit. Burke, 24, machinist, who with a number of persons had been attracted to the riverbank, undressed to his trousers and, followed by another man, swam to where the helicopter was submerged. Burke made a surface dive to examine the wreckage. On his second dive he went down six feet, reached into the cockpit through the open doorway, and touched Horning. Burke surfaced and reported the situation to the other man, who submerged briefly and confirmed the report. Burke again went down six feet. He entered the cockpit, released Horning’s seat belt, and removed him from the helicopter. The other man submerged; and he and Burke took Horning to the surface. By means of a life ring on a rope, Horning was taken to the bank. He was pronounced dead of chest injuries.
51096 – 5682
51096-5682