A Saskatchewan man is lucky to be alive, let alone walking, after a close call on Saturday.
On the third floor of Royal University Hospital (RUH), Justin Hoet lies in a bed counting his blessings after a frightening accident that could have easily turned fatal.
“I shattered the two vertebrae in my spine and they said I was actually quite fortunate that I’m not paralyzed. It was really, really close,” Hoet said.
READ MORE: Friend creates GoFundMe page for Peterborough cyclist injured in Italy
Somehow when Hoet was working underneath his truck over the week-end in Saskatoon, the emergency brake failed. His girlfriend, who was right next to him handing Justin tools, was able to escape without injury.
Hoet, however, was unable to roll out from under the truck in time. As it started to roll, it hooked him and he folded forward completely in half like a limp rag doll.
“It felt like someone was tearing me in half.”
The 29-year-old was rushed to hospital. His lungs were also punctured and one day later he underwent back surgery.
“I’ve got titanium bolts in my spine now and they fused three of my vertebrae together.”
Any day now Justin has been told he will be discharged from RUH and will continue his long road to recovery at home on an acreage south of Perdue, Sask.
“Three months at least of not working and kinda of sitting on the bench.”
READ MORE: Pilot Butte community members rally to support couple who watched their home burn down
It will be a struggle but he’s thankful to be alive, as sometime in the next two months he will be back at the very same hospital witnessing the birth of his first-born child.
“I’m having a boy and he’s due October 29th, a really active little man constantly moving and kicking,” said Tristina Burns, Hoet’s common-law wife.
“I wish I had more time right now so that I can make sure that he’s capable of holding the baby.”
A GoFundMe page has now been set-up for the couple to help ease the financial hardship these soon-to-be parents will face.
“Just kind of gives them that extra little bit to fall back on if they run short at all,” Hoet’s sister Tamara said.
For now Justin says he’ll just have to take each day one step at a time.
Comments