Three Nova Scotians Receive Medal of Bravery

NOTE: A social media version of this release, with hi-res, downloadable photos and audio clips, will be available later today, Nov. 16, at http://gov.ns.ca/news/smr/2011-11-16-Bravery-Medals

Premier Darrell Dexter awarded three courageous Nova Scotians with the medal of bravery today, Nov. 16, for putting their lives at risk to help others.

"Nova Scotians are special people who look out for one another, whether it's performing a small act of kindness or taking courageous risks in extreme circumstances," said Premier Dexter. "Today's recipients are true Nova Scotia heroes deserving of recognition and appreciation."

This year's Nova Scotia Medal of Bravery recipients are:

Samuel Adams, Hilden, Colchester Co.: On a stormy evening of Jan. 24, 72-year-old Samuel Adams was on his way to bed when he heard a woman's screams. He looked out and saw flames coming from an overturned vehicle on his front lawn. Mr. Adams ran to vehicle and helped the trapped woman escape from the burning vehicle and called 911.

Winston Matheson, Enfield: On the morning of Nov. 20, 2009, Cpl. Winston Matheson was traveling Highway 107 in Dartmouth with two driver trainees on a Canadian Armed Forces bus. Cpl. Matheson was observing one of the driver trainees when an oncoming SUV crossed over into their lane and hit the bus. Cpl. Matheson was thrown through the windshield. After regaining consciousness with severe injuries, he crawled into the burning bus to rescue Cpl. Steve Keddy, who was unconscious.

Nancy McBay, Gasperaux: While hiking an isolated seaside trail in Kejimkujik National Park on Aug. 25, 2010, Nancy McBay came across three children and an adult being pulled out to sea by an ocean rip current. The three children made it ashore, but the adult who had gone into to help them, continued to be swept out to sea. Without hesitation, Ms. McBay swam through the rocky, rough waters to save the person. Ms. McBay's quick actions brought the person to safety.

This is the fourth year Nova Scotia's Medal of Bravery have been awarded.

Recipients were selected by an advisory panel chaired by Constance Glube, former Chief Justice of Nova Scotia. The committee also includes the deputy minister of Justice, the provincial fire marshal, president of the Nova Scotia Chiefs of Police Association, the director of operations from the Emergency Management Office, the commander of Maritime Forces Atlantic, former Member of the Legislative Assembly Wayne Adams and member-at-large John Cody.