News release

Four Nova Scotians Receive Medal of Bravery

Premier's Office

NOTE: A social media version of this release, with high-res, downloadable photos, audio and video clips will be available later today, Nov. 17 at http://gov.ns.ca/news/smr/2010-11-17-Medal-of-Bravery/ .


Premier Darrell Dexter awarded four Nova Scotians with the medal of bravery today, Nov. 17, for putting their lives at risk to help others.

"Today's recipients are heroes in the eyes of their families, their friends, and all Nova Scotians," said Premier Dexter. "When someone was in need, these brave Nova Scotians didn't hesitate to risk their own lives to save someone else's. Such a selfless act deserves our recognition and respect, which is why I am pleased to award this prestigious honour."

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

  • Daniel Blinkhorn, Barrington: In June 2009, 15-year-old Daniel Blinkhorn escaped from his burning home, then returned to rescue his mother. Mr. Blinkhorn acted quickly and was able to get his mother out safely.

  • Colin Brownell, Pugwash: In May 2009, Mr. Brownell was travelling along Highway 6 in Linden, when he saw a vehicle off the road and on fire. Through his rearview mirror, Mr. Brownell noticed a hand pressing on the windshield from inside the car and stopped to help. He righted the vehicle and pulled the occupant to safety, before the vehicle burst into flames.

  • Jerome Tracey, Port Hawkesbury: In November 2009, Mr. Tracey was awoken by his son, who saw flames coming from a house across the street. Mr. Tracey ran into the burning home to wake his neighbours and get them to safety. He then realized the house next door was also on fire. Without hesitation, he ran to the second home and began banging on the door to wake up the family of five. They were able to escape and, within minutes, both homes were fully engulfed.

  • Steven Wilton, New Waterford: Twenty-one-year old Steven Wilton was travelling home in January on an Acadian Lines bus when it crashed through a bridge guardrail on Highway 104, falling almost eight metres into the icy Tracadie River. Only the front of the bus remained above water. Mr. Wilton swam to the front of the bus, escaped, and ran up a snowy embankment where he flagged down passing motorists, who called 911. Thanks to Mr. Wilton's quick thinking, emergency personnel were able to rescue five passengers from the submerged bus.

This is the third year for Nova Scotia's Medal of Bravery.

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 Mr. John Cody.