3 Nova Scotians awarded medals of bravery

Three Nova Scotians were awarded a Medal of Bravery at a ceremony held Wednesday at Province House.

The award is given annually to people who risked their lives protecting the life or property of others.

The recipients this year areMichelle Curtis,Nicole Foran,and Jerry Spargo.

Curtis saved three children pulled out to sea atMacLeod'sBeach in Inverness in August last year. Once she was back onshore, she collapsed and died. Her husband, Karl, accepted themedal on her behalf.

Foranwas a flight attendant who managed to both free passengers anddisarm a gunman who hijacked a plane that had just landed in Jamaica in 2009.

Quick-thinking hero

Spargo, 84,rescued a neighbourfrom ahousefirein January. He was about to go outside to shovel his driveway when he noticed smoke and flame coming from the living room across the street. He yelled to his wife to call the fire department and walked over.

"She left the front door unlocked because she was expecting a caretaker," said Spargo. "She was lying flat on the floor, she couldn't even crawl. She had inhaled a lot of smoke so I remember thinking at the time, 'Am I dreaming this or is this actually happening?'"

Spargosaid his neighbour can't walk. Hegrabbed herwrist and dragged her backwards out the front door. He estimated it took him between five and 10 minutestogetto safety.

"I was in the right place at the right time and I knew what to do and I knew I had to do it in a hurry," he said.

Spargo said he is still getting used to the hero label.

"I usually keep a pretty low profile so I'm not used to that," he said.