HALIFAX: On Nov. 8, Inverness County’s Adam Lefort was among four Nova Scotians who received Nova Scotia’s highest recognition for bravery.
Premier Tim Houston awarded the Nova Scotia Medal of Bravery to Lefort for his actions on June 22, 2021.
During a day spent tubing down the Margaree River, Lefort spotted a woman who fell out of her tube, becoming trapped in the deep water. Lefort entered the water, brought the woman to the surface, and held on to her until help arrived.
Lefort, who is a resident of Grand Étang, said he normally goes tubing every summer at the same location, but that day the group had to go on a new route to test other places.
“We weren’t too long into the route and since I’m usually the one up ahead telling everyone behind what’s coming up, I saw her first,” Lefort said. “I didn’t think much of it at the time, but she got herself into rapids.”
He could see the woman got caught in a fallen tree and when he got closer, he noticed she wasn’t in the tube anymore.
“I just knew there was something wrong and I had to do something. I jumped out of my tube and basically pulled her out from under. I was also holding onto the tree and then I waited until the rest of the crew to help us,” Lefort said. “I was trying to figure out how to keep her safe and get her onto land, so I was yelling at people to help and they came and helped us out.”
The medal is awarded to Nova Scotians who have risked their lives protecting the lives or property of others. The other three recipients of the award were Talbot Boyer of Dartmouth, Scott Buchanan of Baddeck and Robert McGregor of Economy.
“Nova Scotians always look out for one another, even in the most difficult and dangerous circumstances. The heroic actions of Talbot, Scott, Adam and Robert are an inspiration to us all,” said Premier Houston at the event in Halifax. “On behalf of all Nova Scotians, I want to recognize and thank these individuals for their bravery and selfless acts when people needed it the most.”
This was the 13th ceremony recognizing people who have risked their own lives to help others, to date 47 Nova Scotians have received the award.
“It’s something I’ll probably never forget,” Lefort said. “You just have to go about your day and do your stuff.”
Always aware that something can happen at any time, Lefort noted it’s important to keep watch while on the river.
“If you notice rapids ahead, always steer clear of those, if you notice trees falling over don’t go near them,” he said.
For Lefort the ordeal was the scariest moment of his life and thinks of it every day but wouldn’t change his belief of helping someone who needs it, especially in a life-or-death situation.
“I would just say it was being at the right place, at the right time,” Lefort said. “And it was the best outcome that could have possibly happened.”