Bravery remembered

When William Smith pulled a young woman from a burning car two years ago, he wasn’t thinking about his own life, he was trying to save hers.

For that act of heroism, Smith was one of three Nova Scotians awarded the Nova Scotia Medal of Bravery by Premier Darrell Dexter in Halifax November 18.

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

Smith approached the burning vehicle and tried to open both doors. They were locked, but he was able to unlock the back door by reaching into a small opening in the window. After pulling the jammed door open, Smith pulled a 14-year-old girl from the back seat and carried her to safety.

Quick thinking saved life

Smith says he reacted quickly, knowing it was unlikely the rescue service would be able to reach the scene in time. He saved the life of Dawn Park. “I just saw the smoke and the car upside down and heard her call for help; I did what anyone would do.”

Within minutes of pulling Park out, the car filled with dark smoke. When police and fire personnel arrived on the scene, the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames. “I didn’t think about my safety at the time,” Smith says. “After, I thought that car could have blown up while I was there, but you don’t think about those things; I just did what I had to do.”

Park and her family joined Smith at the ceremony to thank him for his courageous act, as they did a week after the accident.

Smith says this time it was a happier reunion. “They told me they are very grateful and that feels pretty good,” he says. “I wasn’t expecting anything like this; I’m surprised I was even nominated.

Ron Spencer, fire chief at the Summerville and District Volunteer fire department, along with MLA Chuck Porter, nominated Smith and say he deserves the recognition for his selfless actions and quick thinking. "Billy's first thought was to stop and assist these people, even though it meant risking his own life," Porter says. "Everyone who has heard the story of how he carried the injured girl to safety knows he is a hero, but the presentation of this medal is a way of saying thank you on behalf of our community, and all Nova Scotians.”

Humbled Smith was born and raised in Cambridge. The semi-retired heavy equipment operator is married with two adult children and five grandchildren. All joined him in Halifax to accept the honour.

The award and medal he received now have a special place in the family home and Smith was humbled by the day’s event. “I just came home after and had a regular day; I’m just a regular person I guess.”

An advisory panel chaired by Constance Glube, former Chief Justice of Nova Scotia, selected recipients. The committee also includes the deputy minister of Justice; the provincial fire marshall; the president of the Nova Scotia Chiefs of Police Association; the chief executive officer of 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.