When you hear about a local hero, you realize the impact one person has on a community. A Saint John man is receiving one of the top civilian honours in North America for an extraordinary act of heroism. According to a report by CTV News, Matt Baxter will receive the Carnegie Medal for saving a teenage boy from drowning at the Little River Reservoir on the east side of the city.

The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission awards this honour throughout Canada and the United States to individuals who risk their lives to save others.

Source: Avery MacRae / CTV News Atlantic

A Sudden Emergency

Baxter remembers June 9 2025 clearly. He was working as a civil engineer at the Little River Reservoir on a new beach volleyball court. After a meeting with his team, they stayed on site to plan a tree planting project.

Suddenly, they heard a commotion coming from the water.

Baxter took immediate action. He says someone on the scene described him taking off like the Kool Aid man. He went right through a tall metal fence and took it apart as he ran down to the beach.

He saw a teenager struggling to stay afloat. Baxter threw off his hard hat and vest and dove into the cold water. He kept his clothes and heavy steel boots on.

The Rescue

The initial shock of the cold water hit him hard. However, the former member of the Canadian Armed Forces refused to turn back.

“As I was hitting the water, that is when I was like this is happening,” Baxter says. “It wasn’t a question of if I am going to stop. This is happening and I need to get there.”

Baxter swam more than 100 feet from the shore to reach two boys. One boy was trying to help his struggling friend. Baxter separated them and grabbed the struggling teen. The other boy swam back to shore safely.

Baxter used his military and Red Cross rescue training to support the boy and carry him over his shoulder.

The heavy boots weighed Baxter down. He went under the water multiple times as he kicked back toward the beach. Both he and the teenager swallowed water during the struggle. Baxter admits he briefly thought he would not make it out.

“But I wanted to get back, and I just can’t think about that, I got to go,” he says.

They made it to the shore. Baxter coughed up water but did not need hospital treatment. Paramedics took the teenager to the hospital for a brief checkup and released him shortly after.

Source: Matt Baxter / CTV News

Recognition and Advice

The City of Saint John honoured Baxter with a council commendation last August. Now, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission is recognizing his bravery on a much larger scale.

The Commission notes that water rescues are historically their most deadly peril because victims panic and situations deteriorate rapidly.

“Baxter not only showed amazing courage in the face of a very real danger, he also remained calm and collected, which led to saving a boy’s life,” the Commission says. “He should be very proud of his actions that day, and we are honored to count him among our heroes.”

Baxter remains humble about the experience.

“I have been in disbelief ever since,” Baxter says. “I am proud of this one, and I am just very grateful for how it turned out first and foremost. That was good enough, but this is pretty cool.”

He encourages you to look out for others and step up during emergencies.

“The bystander effect is real, so just being the one to call, being the one to just yell for help, do whatever you can,” Baxter says. “That will save lives ultimately.”

You can make a difference just by paying attention to your surroundings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Carnegie Medal?

The Carnegie Medal is a top civilian honour awarded in Canada and the United States. It recognizes individuals who risk their lives to save or attempt to save the lives of others.

Where did the rescue take place?

The rescue happened at the Little River Reservoir on the east side of Saint John.

Did Matt Baxter have prior rescue training?

Yes. Baxter is a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces and received rescue training through the Red Cross.