Balcony Collapse Survivor Heard 'Big Rumble' Before Tragic Collapse

One of seven Irish students who survived a balcony collapse in Berkeley talked today about the physical progress he has made and called the fall a “life-changing” experience.

Niall Murray, 21, has been receiving treatment at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose from injuries he suffered when a fourth-floor balcony collapsed at the Library Gardens apartment complex at 2020 Kittredge St. in Berkeley during a party during the early morning of June 16.

Murray spoke from a wheelchair during a news conference today outside the San Jose hospital’s rehabilitation center, alongside his mother Helen and 24-year-old brother Ciaran. His left foot was in a cast and his forearms were wrapped in bandages. He said he felt “quite guilty and awful” that he and six other students survived and six other students did not.

Murray remembered he heard a “big rumble” before the collapse, but doesn’t remember landing on the ground. He has had flashbacks of being placed on a gurney by two paramedics soon after and waking up in the emergency room. Of the six people who died in the collapse, Murray said “someday I look forward to seeing you all again.” As Murray talked about his rehabilitation he turned to members of the center’s medical team that stood behind him and thanked them with a smile.

He has experienced ups and downs on his road to recovery, which included seven to eight surgeries, but said he is progressing every day and week. Dr. James Crew, chair of the medical center’s physical medicine and rehabilitation department, said Murray had multiple injuries to his right hand, where his index finger was nearly amputated. Doctors were able to salvage the finger and Murray is now working on regaining strength in the hand through specialized therapy, Crew said.

A fracture to his left heel is keeping him in the wheelchair, according to Crew. Murray was discharged from the center about a week and a half ago and he has made “tremendous progress,” Crew said.

“His prognosis for walking obviously is quite good. He’s already doing some standing,” Crew said. Murray plans to return to Ireland some time next week and spend time with his own friends and family and those of the victims who did not survive the collapse. He is also planning on having a big Irish breakfast once he is back home.

Once Murray is fully recovered, he is looking forward to swimming and going back to the gym. He is considering a career in medicine after the treatment he has received since the collapse. Murray thanked the paramedics and first responders on the night of the collapse and medical staff at the other Bay Area hospitals where he received care. He also thanked Consul General Philip Grant and staff at the Irish Consulate in addition to the Irish Immigration Pastoral Center, both in San Francisco.

Full coverage of the Berkeley balcony collapse:

• Friends Say Irish Student Who Survived Berkeley Balcony Collapse Out of Coma, Communicating
• Judge Denies Berkeley Balcony Builder’s Request for Temporary Restraining Order
• DA Says Manslaughter Charges May Result From Berkeley Balcony Probe
• DA O’Malley Will Conduct Criminal Probe of Berkeley Balcony Collapse
• Funerals Held in Ireland as Donations Mount for Families
• City Officials Release Likely Cause of Berkeley Balcony Collapse
• Pleasanton Company Built Balcony That Collapsed in Berkeley
• Memorial Honors Victims of Berkeley Balcony Collapse
• NYT Article on Balcony Collapse Sparks Outrage in Ireland
• Companies That Own, Manage Site of Berkeley Balcony Collapse Offer Condolences
• Balcony Collapse: One American Among the Dead
• Ireland Shocked By ‘Appalling Tragedy’ in Berkeley

By Bay City News

Photo by Jeff Shuttleworth