“My pelvis was in pieces. Don’t be like me, take the safety precautions.”

On March 28, 2025, Luke Allison, a 32-year-old carpenter from Muskoka, was airlifted by Ornge to Sunnybrook. He tells, in his own words, how he became a patient of the Tory Trauma Program, which cares for patients across Ontario at their most critical moments.

Here’s what Luke told us:

I was really looking forward to a day off, to spend some time working on the roof of the new house I was building.

It had begun to lightly rain so I checked the time and decided to carry up the last rolls of waterproofing before taking a break at noon. After climbing onto the shallow roof and placing the material on a finished area, I grabbed a shovel with the intention of cleaning off any water or ice that may have accumulated.

As I stepped onto the unfinished section of roof, my feet shot out from under me and I fell on my face. Then I slid off the roof feet first, flipped backwards, and landed flat on my back.

I was writhing on the ground, feeling extreme pain but also relief that all my limbs seemed to be working. My mind went back to safety and first aid courses. I felt the back of my head for bleeding and tried not to move my neck or torso.

I left my cell phone in my truck, so started to shout for help, and waved the shovel I had fallen with to signal passing cars. No luck. With the freezing rain intensifying, I dragged myself underneath my truck. It was excruciating but I was eventually able to lunge to open the door. One more attempt and I was slumped over the driver’s seat.

Three hours after the fall, hyperthermia was beginning to set in. I finally reached my phone. My fingers were too cold so I dialed 911 with my nose. The dispatcher told me the paramedics were on their way and asked questions to make sure they would see me as they arrived.

The paramedics carefully extracted me from underneath the steering wheel. Once I was inside the ambulance, they cut off my layers of soaked winter workwear and wrapped me in warm blankets.

They first checked for injuries then, as they sped towards the helicopter pad, helped me contact a family friend who alerted my brothers. And on my mind was my dog sitter, who we reached to ensure she could stay with my dog, Poppy.

A Ornge air ambulance transported me to Sunnybrook. Once there, the team in the Tory Trauma Program assessed me and explained that my pelvis was in pieces. I had also fractured several vertebrae in my spine, had a collapsed lung, and internal bleeding and bruising. Despite all this, the team in the trauma room were professional. I was grateful I had made it to the right place.

With my leg in traction and settled in a hospital bed, I was prepped for surgery. I spent the next 10 hours in the operating room and 12 hours in the recovery room.

I was hellbent on regaining my independence as quickly as possible. With help from some amazing physiotherapists, I was able to stand up. The next day, I managed to use a walker to get myself to the bathroom. A few days later, I circled the unit with my walker. The trauma team said my speedy recovery was down to my age, determination, and the specialized care I had.

After 10 days, I was transferred to St. John’s Rehab. The physical and occupational therapists saw that I wanted to get moving and didn’t hold me back. They pushed me to take the next steps.

Since the fall, I’ve been eager to share a safety PSA to everyone working on their own projects. Everyone thinks it’s just going to ‘just be a quick task’ and all the safety precautions wouldn’t be worth the time. But things can go bad very quickly. It doesn’t take much effort to wear a harness, keep your cellphone on you and ask someone else to be there.

I’m back in Muskoka now, staying with my parents. I’m shocked by the amount of support and encouragement I’ve received from family, friends and the community. Thanks to them, and the team at Sunnybrook, my injuries are “just a pause, not a setback”.