Alton E. Grove, 44, electrical supervisor, attempted to save John M. Burke, 63, electrician from drowning, Lockport, New York, July 18, 1955. While Burke and another man were removing a heavy grating from a valve pit on top of the lock of the New York State Barge Canal, Burke’s hook slipped and he toppled sideways into water nine feet deep in the lock. The other man, who could not swim, called for help. Grove ran from a building near the canal and dived into the lock fully clothed. Realizing then that the water was shallow, Grove turned his body parallel to the surface, striking the water 33 feet below the top of the lock with full force. Although winded and somewhat stunned, Grove made one surface dive without locating Burke and then swam seven feet to the wall, where he grasped one end of a garden-hose which was lowered to him and swam 27 feet to a recessed metal ladder in the wall. After resting briefly Grove then swam 30 feet to where bubbles had appeared at the surface and, groping with his hands, located Burke. He pulled Burke to the surface and with difficulty towed him 10 feet to the hose. The other man then towed them along the wall to the ladder. A young man descended the ladder and carried Burke to the top of the wall, followed by Grove. Burke could not be revived. Grove was tired, winded, and bruised from striking the water but recovered. 43703-4044
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