One year later, London Ont., building collapse brings up mix of feelings for survivor

Dec. 11 will mark one year since two people died in the partial building collapse at 555 Teeple Terr.

Looking back on where he was a year ago, it’s a mix of emotions for Jacob Hurl as the first anniversary of the London Ont., building collapse approaches.

“It seems like it’s gone by so quick, and I don’t know why that is,” Hurl.

“Around this time last year, I was on my way to the hospital, and I could not walk, and now I am able to walk around, and I am still doing physiotherapy to improve things… mental health, we are still working away at that.”

Dec. 11 will mark one year since two people died in the partial building collapse at 555 Teeple Terr., a construction site of the upcoming southwest London apartment building called the Nest on Wonderland.

Both Henry Harder, 26, and John Martens, 21, were killed during the accident, and four others were injured, including Hurl, who was the last to be bulled out alive.

Hurl was trapped for over four hours, his leg trapped on the ground floor, with talks of amputation.

He suffered numerous injuries, from a damaged spin to compression fractures — a concision and cracked skull — to severe chemical burns.

“Everyone else knows what happened that day was horrible. It should not have happened and I was pretty banged up, but I look at the scars on my legs, and if I don’t talk about it or advocate, I don’t think I could live with myself,” Hurl told Global News.