Steven Wilton says he’s an “all right swimmer,” but on the night his bus crashed into a river, his aquatic skills were tested.
He was on board an Acadian Line bus when it skidded over a bridge and landed in the Tracadie River on the night of Jan. 23. He swam to the front of the bus, escaped, and flagged down drivers to call 911.
“There weren’t very many decisions to make, just evaluating the situation and saying, ‘Wow, we’re in the water and let’s get out of the water,’” said the 21-year-old university student from New Waterford.
He said he didn’t even notice the icy water.
Yesterday, Wilton and three others were honoured with bravery awards handed out by Premier Darrell Dexter.
The youngest recipient was 15-year-old Daniel Blinkhorn of Barrington, who rescued his mother from their burning house in June 2009.
Yesterday he wore running shoes with his suit as he was given the medal by the premier, but later he didn’t want to talk about that frightening night with reporters.
About a year ago, Jerome Tracey of Port Hawksbury was woken by his son who noticed flames coming from the house across the street. Tracey not only rescued that family, but the family from the house next door.
Colin Brownell was driving on Highway 6 in May 2009 when he noticed a car on its side. He looked in his rearview mirror and saw a hand pressed on the windshield. Brownell rescued the man trapped inside.
