Zachary Roberge Recovery

On Saturday, January 19th at about 2:30am Zach was severely injured while at work. His injuries include a head injury (the extent of which is currently unknown), a punctured lung, many broken ribs, a cut above the eye, and a cracked vertebra.  Zach is currently in a medically induced coma in the I.C.U. in order for him to heal a bit before further tests are taken. He should be taken out of the coma some time the week of January 21st. Once he is awake, tests can be performed to see if there is any brain damage or other injuries that have not been found.

The injuries were sustained during a rigging operation. A 4'X8' sheet of plywood was being lowered down a shaft. The plywood came free from it's rigging about 60' up from the floor. Zach was in what he thought was a safe spot, but unfortunately, the plywood hit his head and chest before landing on the ground. It is estimated that the drop took only 2 seconds before impact.

Zach was transported from site in an ambulance.The ambulance was redirected to a local airport where Zach was loaded onto an Ornge Air Ambulance and flown to Hamilton General hospital, where he is currently in the I.C.U. Zach's colleagues followed procedure properly and were able to extract him quickly to get him into the ambulance, which has given him the best chance at recovery.

Zach's family has been at the hospital since the accident. Although he is currently not conscious, the love his family is pouring over him is likely being felt. It has been a very tough time for his wife, parents, siblings, and all the family at the hospital and elsewhere. Currently visitation is restricted to immediate family only until Zach has been released from I.C.U. I will update this page once he is able to see visitors.

I have been asked by many how they can help and if a fundraiser would be set up. The outpouring of support for Zach, and for the other crew members on the site, has been incredible.The goal of the fundraiser is to take any financial impact felt from recovery off of Zach and his family so that they can concentrate on getting better. What he will need is still unknown, but a long road to recovery is for sure ahead.

Thank you for your support. Please join me in wishing Zach a speedy and full recovery!!