Grandfather Donates Jackets To Save Lives

An Oklahoma grandfather spent Saturday at Thunderbird Lake trying to spare others the heartache his family has endured. News On 6's Jennifer Pierce reports the 4th of July weekend is always busy at Lake Thunderbird, as with every holiday.

Lake officials there say safety is the number one factor on the water. That means minding the rules and taking precautions.

Kids have to wear life jackets and they're free and within reach for kids of all ages. Putting one on, could save a life.

Bruce Burkhalter knows this better than anyone. His 7-year-old granddaughter Victoria drowned at Lake Thunderbird three years ago. She wasn't wearing a life jacket. Now, Burkhalter donates dozens of life jackets to the lake every year.

Burkhalter hopes others use them to keep their child from drowning. He doesn't want anyone else to go through what his family did.

The family of another girl who drowned at the lake also donates life jackets.