Four Nova Scotians awarded province’s highest award for bravery

Talbot Boyer had seen a lot during his four years as a Halifax transit bus driver, but nothing like the life-threatening scene he encountered on a downtown street early on Jan. 29, 2021.

Boyer was finishing up a run with his bus when he came upon a car that had flipped onto its roof and was on fire, with a man trapped inside.

What happened over the next several “frantic” minutes resulted in the 33-year-old being recognized Wednesday — along with three other Nova Scotians — with the province’s highest distinction for bravery during a ceremony at the legislature.

Boyer, who now works for the Halifax fire service, said he immediately got out of the bus and approached the burning car.

“After about 30 seconds somebody started to stir and make some noise,” he said. After quickly calling 911, Boyer tried to open the car doors but couldn’t do it.

“There was a smashed light pole on the ground that I used to break the windows,” he said. “I couldn’t reach him, so I got underneath the (flipped) vehicle and reached through the back window and was able to get my hands on him.”

After a struggle to free the man from his seatbelt, Boyer said he was able to drag him out through the broken glass to the sidewalk, where he put out flames on the victim’s pant legs.

“He was burning and screaming for his life,” he said. “I took some snow and threw it on top of him and then drug him a little bit farther, and then Halifax police and fire showed up and took control of the rest of it.” The vehicle exploded moments later.

“It was pretty fast paced, I was just searching for some way to get him out,” said Boyer. “It was the only thing I was thinking about, and I knew time was of the essence.”

The other recipients of the Nova Scotia Medal of Bravery included Adam Lefort, who as a 16-year-old saved a woman from drowning in Cape Breton’s Margaree River in June 2021; Robert McGregor, who pulled an unconscious person, who eventually died of their injuries, from a burning home near Truro, N.S., in June 2020; and Scott Buchanan, who saved two people who fell through ice near Baddeck, N.S., in February 2020.

Last month, Buchanan, who is a firefighter, also received an award for his actions from RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme.

The four men received their silver medals Wednesday from Premier Tim Houston, who said their acts of bravery made him proud. “It’s incredible what these gentlemen did,” Houston said. “There are a lot of good people in this province.”

Boyer said he was also in awe of his fellow award recipients.

“There are some amazing stories here and I’m quite grateful to be even in the same conversation as the rest of them,” he said.

A total of 47 Nova Scotians have won the medal for acts of bravery since it was first awarded in 2008.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2023.