On November 12, 2007, Mr. Smith was traveling along Highway 215 in Cambridge, when he came along an overturned vehicle in a ditch with green toxic smoke and fire around its engine. Mr. Smith saw a man lying on the side of the road with no sign of life and heard a voice inside the vehicle calling for help.

Mr. Smith approached the burning vehicle and attempted to open both doors, which were locked. Mr. Smith was able to unlock the back door by reaching into a small opening in the window. After pulling the jammed door open, he pulled a 14-year-old girl from the back seat and carried her to safety. Within the next few minutes, the car filled with dark smoke. When police and fire personnel arrived on the scene, the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames.

Mr. Smith was born and raised in Cambridge, Nova Scotia and works as a semi-retired heavy equipment operator. Mr. Smith is married with two adult children and five grandchildren.