'I was just really scared': N.S. man recovering in B.C. after falling from balcony
A Maritime family is warning others about unexpected hazards you may encounter when renting a place to stay from a private host through platforms like Airbnb.
A man from Halifax was seriously injured in B.C. after he fell about three metres when a balcony railing gave way.
The incident happened Friday night in the community of Vernon.
Lawrence Pickrem and friends had rented a cottage for the weekend.
Checking out the views on the balcony, he and another man leaned on the railing when it gave way.
Lawrence wound-up breaking the other man's fall, but both were hurt.
"I remember looking over and seeing my buddy Barrett's head bleeding and I was just really scared," Pickrem told CTV News from his hospital room in Vernon.
Pickrem suffered a broken pelvis and ruptured spleen.
The incident resulted in a three-hour surgery and a long road to recovery for Lawrence, who, at the end of the day, simply wants to come home to Halifax.
He'd moved west a couple of months ago seeking work opportunities. Instead, he'll likely spend months recovering in Calgary.
"I heard that he had fallen, but I didn't realize it was 20 feet - that's the equivalent of two stories," said Brittany Pickrem, Lawrence's sister who's launched a GoFundMe page to help her brother cover expenses.
"So I underestimated at first what had happened."
An Airbnb spokesperson provided a short statement to CTV News after the Tuesday broadcast deadline.
“The safety of our community is of the utmost importance to us. We are looking into this incident and have reached out to the guest and host to offer additional support," it said.
For background, the company added:
• The Guest received a refund from the Host.
• Hosts on Airbnb must adhere to our Trust and Safety Community Standards.
• Hosts and Guests on Airbnb have access to AirCover – comprehensive protection for Airbnb guests, included for free with every booking. It includes protection from Host cancellations, listing inaccuracies, and other issues like trouble checking in, as well as a 24-hour Safety Line.
As Lawrence recovers, both siblings are urging others not to assume every rental is 100% safe.
"I'm saying, be more cautious. Kind of look around, and don't just trust that everything is how it's supposed to be," said Lawrence.
"Patio or balcony safety is kind of underestimated. So, when you are going on a patio, make sure that it is safe and secure," said Brittany.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.