When 50-year-old rigger Kyle McIntyre was seriously injured at a Victoria construction site, a close friend stepped up to help.
Katie Jakes, who has known McIntyre for years, created a GoFundMe page, which has raised $7,000 in three days.
The accident occurred on Saturday, Sept. 7 at a site in the 600 block of Herald Street, when a crane carrying 3,000 pounds of formwork – moulds used to form concrete into structural shapes – accidentally released its load. The materials fell from a height of 10 feet, the force and weight of which lacerated McIntyre’s head and crushed his left leg.
The husband and father of four was whisked to the hospital, where doctors spent seven hours operating on his leg, which had three open-skin fractures and damaged tendons. His knee was also dislocated. McIntyre is now recuperating, but the severity of his injuries mean he won’t be able to go back to work for the foreseeable future.
"Kyle may need many surgeries ... to reconstruct his leg and his knee, along with rehab," said Jakes on his GoFundMe page. "Doctors cannot guarantee how much mobility he will regain."
Donations to Jakes' fundraiser will help alleviate the financial instability McIntyre's family is facing.
“With loss of Kyle’s significant income, the likelihood he will never be able to return to work in this field, and all the other added financial stress this beautiful family is having to face right now ... I am asking for help,” Jakes added on his GoFundMe page. “This family would never ask for it themselves, and I hate to think of the fact that they need to suffer more at this time.”
McIntyre's wife Nancy, who has been driving to Victoria from Duncan every day to visit her husband in hospital, all the while looking after their kids, has expressed thanks to everyone who has donated.
“Kyle’s recovery will be a long journey, but the kind words, prayers and encouragement from all of you have provided us with much-needed hope and reassurance,” wrote Nancy in a response to the GoFundMe campaign. “Each gesture of support has truly made a difference for us.”
To donate, visit: www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-mcintyres.
