Ontario Construction News staff writer
A fundraising campaign for the families of two men killed in a partial building collapse in London on Friday has been set up by East Elgin Concrete Forming. As of today, the campaign has raised over $100,000.
“On Friday December 11, 2020 workers of East Elgin Concrete Forming were on a job site in London, where there was a partial building collapse,” administrative assistant Shy Forsyth wrote on the Gofundme campaign page.
“We are raising funds for the parties that represented EECF that day on site. The funds raised will be allocated directly to the individuals/families who were impacted by this tragedy at the time of withdrawal. I would like to thank everyone who has helped out this far as it is immensely appreciated.”
In a statement, EECF President Tyso Van Leeuwen says the company is “co-operating fully with all authorities on this tragic incident.”
“Our hearts go out to the affected workers, their families, friends and coworkers,” he wrote. “The safety of our employees, contractors and our community is the number one priority at East Elgin Concrete Forming.”
Henry Harder, 26, and John Martens, 21, died Friday when parts of the four-storey building in southwest London suddenly gave way. Four other construction workers were also injured and three remain in hospital.
Harder, from Tillsonburg, leaves behind a wife he married two years ago and a three-week-old daughter.
According to his obituary, Martens was from Langton, Ont. He leaves behind his girl friend, parents and 10 siblings including his twin brother.
The Ministry of Labour and London Police Services are investigating the cause of the building collapse.
“This is a devastating loss to both of these families,” the Lighthouse Gospel Church in Port Burwell, wrote in social media post Sunday.
“They will need the support of many of you in the coming days, weeks, and months.”
At a news conference on Sunday, Dr. Neil Parry, chief of surgery for the London Health Science Centre, said two workers remain in hospital in stable condition and two have been discharged.
“It’s certainly my intention on behalf of the city, as appropriate, to personally acknowledge the loss and the injuries,” Mayor Holder said. “We will do that, but we will do that respectfully and appropriately … It’s just too tragic.”
The Springfield Church will be hosting the Harder funeral at Lighthouse on Tuesday. Lighthouse will be hosting the Martens funeral later on in the week.
Ontario’s Ministry of Labour and London Police Services are investigating the cause of the building collapse.