‘I'll remember it for the rest of my life': Bridge patrol officer's life-saving actions earn her multiple awards
For Payton Deeble, more than one life was changed after a medical emergency on Halifax's Angus L. Macdonald bridge.
'It really kind opened my eyes to how just a small action can make such a big impact in somebody's life,' said Deeble.
On Feb. 8, the 27-year-old bridge patrol officer with Halifax Harbour Bridges (HHB) was in the middle of her Saturday night shift when she responded to a stalled Dartmouth-bound vehicle on the Macdonald.
'When I approached the car, I noticed that the driver was kind of slumped back with his eyes open,' she recalled. 'He didn't give a response. I tapped on the window, and nothing. Knocked, nothing.'
Deeble alerted HHB's operations centre that there was a driver unconscious in his vehicle and to call EHS.
'I started to get a lot more aggressive on the car, just banging on the window. And then luckily enough, a driver that was going through the other lane stopped and asked if I needed any help, and I said, yes. So, he got out with me, and we smashed out the back window in his vehicle.'
Payton Deeble
Payton Deeble is pictured with an Automated External Defibrillator. (Courtesy: Halifax Harbour Bridges)
From there, Deeble and the Good Samaritan unlocked the doors and placed the unconscious man, a senior, on the bridge deck. Deeble grabbed the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) from her patrol car, while a passenger with the helping stranger performed chest compressions.
'He had no pulse,' adds Deeble. 'We got his shirt off, placed the AED on him, and started going through the motions. We did the first shock on him, and we still didn't get a pulse. And second shock, we still didn't get a pulse. And by the third shock, we did get a very weak pulse on him. And by that time, luckily enough, EHS was arriving.'
From there, paramedics took the senior to hospital where he was treated for a blocked artery.
'I knew I couldn't even have a second thought about how intense the situation was or about if I was scared or nervous or anything. I just knew I needed to act, and I needed to act right away because seconds were vital. I knew I needed to do something right away, and I needed to help this man.'
Fortunately, the senior made a full recovery and celebrated his birthday a few days later. He and his wife later met with Deeble privately to thank her for her actions.
'It was surreal,' adds Deeble. 'It was such a heart filling moment, from seeing him in such a state on the bridge deck to seeing him doing better. It was amazing.'
It's also rare. Deeble has been with the HHB for four years.
'I know there's been a few people there who have been there for a very long time. We've seen some really, really intense situations. But from most of the people I spoke with, this was a very, very one-off situation that a lot of people haven't seen on the bridges before.'
Steven Proctor, the communications manager for HHB, says it's a 'very uncommon' situation.
'Bridge patrol responds to a bunch of different things that are often unexpected,' explains Proctor. 'Their routine is broken down vehicles, distracted driving, speeding, that kind of thing. They also respond to incidents on the sidewalk, but it's very rare to come across something like what Peyton experienced.'
Payton Deeble
Payton Deeble is pictured with a Canadian Security Lifesaver award. (Courtesy: Halifax Harbour Bridges)
Months later, Deeble has received two security awards for her actions. The GardaWorld Award of Excellence, and a national award from the Canadian Security Lifesaver Association.
'It was such a nice feeling just to have that recognition. I never expected anything like that, you know? I just was doing my job.'
Her coworkers say the accolades are well deserved.
'What a life experience to keep it together in a life-or-death situation,' says Proctor. 'To face it head on, having all your training kick in, and have a positive result? I think it's fantastic. She's learned she can stand up to just about any critical situation. Bridge patrol is more than an enforcement tool, they're actually out there helping people.'
While she doesn't know who stopped to help her that night, she says she appreciates them.
'If it wasn't for that teamwork, I think it would have been a lot more challenging for me,' adds Deeble. 'I'll remember it for the rest of my life. One hundred per cent.'
For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
Interior Health's plans to close lab in Trail, B.C. leaves mayor and residents blindsided
Interior Health plans to close its Trail medical lab on July 28, moving those employees to the hospital and the lab's services to LifeLabs, a private company, but the mayor and some residents are calling for the health authority to reconsider. The move, announced in a press release on June 13, would mean people in need of lab services such as blood tests and electrocardiograms (ECGs) will have to go to LifeLabs in Waneta Plaza, about 6 kilometres east of the Interior Health lab, which is downtown in the Trail Health Centre. Interior Health said the lab is being closed to make the best use of staffing resources and to improve testing for patients at Trail's Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital, which serves a large area including communities from Grand Forks to Nelson. Since the announcement, CBC News has heard from the mayor and a handful of Trail residents who say they were shocked by the decision and that there was little consultation on the matter. The mayor is hoping that Interior Health will reconsider, or at least meet with the community to hear their concerns. "There was no consultation, we had no idea it was happening," Mayor Colleen Jones told CBC News, adding that staff also had little notice. Joanne Isbur, Interior Health's program director for pathology and lab medicine services, said staff will shift to the hospital to improve acute care and emergency department response. She said there are "staffing deficits" across the region, and the extra staff at the hospital will also improve services for urgent and critical patients, like cancer care and those with pre-surgical requirements. "Interior Health recognizes that this is a significant change for patients and care providers, and employees. We've provided some time for patients to transition over to the LifeLabs location," Isbur said. She pointed out that LifeLabs is working in partnership with the Provincial Health Services Authority and the Ministry of Health, so services offered through LifeLabs will still be covered under the Medical Services Plan. Resident Helen Bobbitt has antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, an autoimmune condition which can cause blood clots. She relies on the clinic for regular testing and said the move is a mistake. "I have a blood clot disorder, and if it weren't for the staff in the location of this lab, where I have to sometimes go and get last-minute lab work and have been doing so for the last 22 years, I wouldn't be able to stay on top of things," Bobbitt said. "If they (Interior Health) can do this, with no – zero – consultation, what else can they do?" She also voiced frustration about no longer having a lab located downtown, adding that the lab has been a staple in the community for more than 20 years. Mayor Jones said the infrequent bus service to the Waneta Plaza will make the location more difficult for seniors and people with mobility issues to access. On Thursday, Jones said she hopes Interior Health will reconsider the closure. She has requested a meeting with the health authority. CBC News reached out to Interior Health for comment and they said they are working on a response. Bobbit said she's also concerned about the influx of patients at LifeLabs creating long wait-times and reducing their staffing resources. She said people from several other outlying communities, like Fruitvale, about 16 kilometres east of Trail, rely on the Interior Health lab. "You're giving no choice but to drive everybody to one location that's only open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., with no transportation to rely on to get there safely," Bobbit said. Capacity not an issue, says Interior Health The Trail Health Centre lab saw approximately 80 to 85 patients per day over the past six months, Interior Health said, adding LifeLabs has the ability to take on these new patients. "LifeLabs developed that location to accommodate the Trail community population. They do have the capacity to meet patient volumes," Isbur said. In an emailed statement to CBC News, LifeLabs confirmed it is prepared to take on the large number of new patients, adding that the location in Trail has been open since 2023. "We will be working closely with Interior Health to ensure a smooth transition for patients and health-care providers. We look forward to continuing to provide reliable, efficient, and trustworthy services for the community of Trail," the lab said in the statement. It added that all patients who visit LifeLabs will have access to a portal that can be used to manage appointments and view results through MyCareCompass. This is separate from the MyHealthPortal with Interior Health.
CTV News
4 hours ago
- CTV News
Wildfire smoke prompts air quality warnings in Manitoba
Trees burned by wildfires in northern Manitoba are shown during a helicopter tour in the surrounding area of Flin Flon, Man., on Thursday, June 12, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mike Deal-Pool Several Manitoba communities are under air quality advisories Saturday due to wildfire smoke. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued warnings for Berens River, Bloodvein and Little Grand Rapids because the smoke is causing poor air quality and reduced visibility. ECCC has also issued air quality statements for areas including Winnipeg, Brandon and the Interlake. 'High levels of air pollution have developed due to smoke from forest fires,' Environment Canada warned. 'Smoke plumes moving over southern Manitoba from forest fires in northwest Ontario have resulted in deteriorated air quality in the area.' The weather agency said widespread improvement is expected by Saturday evening. ECCC air quality Manitoba Environment and Climate Change Canada issued air quality warnings and statements for parts of Manitoba on June 21, 2025. ECCC warns that smoke puts everyone's health at risk, but especially those over the age of 65, pregnant people, infants and young kids, those with existing illnesses, and people who work outside. To stay safe, the weather agency recommends limiting time outdoors, keeping windows and doors closed, and using a good quality air filter in your ventilation system. For those who must spend time outside, it's recommended that you wear a well-fitting respirator-type mask. Smoky conditions can lead to symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, as well as a headache or mild cough. More serious symptoms including wheezing, chest pains or severe cough. According to the provincial wildfire service, there were 22 fires burning in Manitoba with 6 deemed as 'out of control.'
CTV News
5 hours ago
- CTV News
Heat warnings in effect across southern Ontario
A kid runs through water at the Breithaupt Park Splash Pad in Kitchener. (Colton Wiens/CTV Kitchener) (Aug. 7, 2022) A potentially dangerous heatwave is expected to hit a large swatch of southern Ontario. Environment Canada has issued heat warnings as the first significant heat event of the season is expected to get underway Sunday afternoon and continue into the week. According to a release from the weather office, daytime highs will reach 31 to 36 degrees Celsius, but feel closer to 40 or 45 with the humidity. There won't be much relief at night either as overnight lows will hover between 21 and 25. A cold front is expected to push through Waterloo Region late Tuesday, but Environment Canada warns it is not clear how far south the front will reach. If it misses the region, the heat could continue into Wednesday. Signs of heat exhaustion include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue. Heat stroke can include red, hot skin, dizziness, nausea, confusion and a change in consciousness. Anyone experiencing heat stroke should call 911 immediately and seek medical help. A list of cooling centres, pools and splashpads is available online to help keep residents cool until the heat dissipates.
