A Victoria construction worker is facing a long road to recovery after a catastrophic crane incident over the weekend left him severely injured.
Kyle McIntyre, an experienced rigger, was working on a job site in downtown Victoria on Saturday, September 7th, when the freak accident occurred.
While lifting over 3,000 pounds of formworks, the load suddenly fell from a height of 10 feet. McIntyre, positioned directly beneath the materials, was struck and slammed into the concrete.
The accident knocked him unconscious, leaving him with a concussion, a head laceration, and a severely crushed leg.
According to his family, Kyle, who has worked in the field for many years, is well-versed in safety protocols. Despite his training and experience, he was unable to avoid the falling materials.
After being rushed to hospital, McIntyre underwent nearly seven hours of surgery in an attempt to save his leg. Doctors have managed to stabilize the limb, but it remains uncertain how much mobility he will regain. He is expected to need multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation before he can learn to walk again.
McIntyre’s family have set up a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the costs of his ongoing medical treatment and support his wife, Nancy, and their four children during this challenging time.
The campaign describes the immense strain the family is under, with Nancy commuting over an hour each day from Duncan to be by her husband’s side. In addition to taking care of her children, including their youngest who is still in elementary school, Nancy is juggling household duties and her own well-being.
WorkSafeBC confirmed they are investigating the crane incident, which occurred around 10:30 a.m. in the 600 block of Herald Street. Two individuals were taken to the hospital as a result of the accident, though no further details about the second individual have been released.
The incident is one of several crane-related accidents that have occurred across the province in recent years. WorkSafeBC has been working on a crane risk-reduction strategy following a 2021 collapse in Kelowna that killed five workers.
As the McIntyre family grapples with the uncertainty of his recovery, they are calling on the public for support. Despite the uncertainty ahead, the family is thankful that McIntyre’s life was spared and remains hopeful that his leg will recover with time.
To support the family, donations can be made through the GoFundMe page, where his family continues to share updates on his condition.
As of publication, $5,998 has been raised toward the $10,000 goal.
