Garry Hoy, The Lawyer Who Fell Out Of A Window While Trying To Prove It Was Unbreakable
X (Twitter)Garry Hoy fell from the Toronto-Dominion Centre in 1993.
Garry Hoy was a successful and respected corporate and securities attorney at the Toronto-based law firm Holden Day Wilson. He was even described by managing partner Peter Lauwers as “one of the best and brightest” lawyers at the firm. Garry Hoy was also highly impressed with the windows at the Toronto-Dominion Bank Tower, where his office was located.
On July 9, 1993, Hoy decided to show off the windows’ strength for a group of law students who were interested in apprenticeships at the firm, according to Snopes.
Hoy actually had a favorite party trick, one that he had performed numerous times before: throwing himself at the windows to prove they wouldn’t break. In fact, he’d already performed this little stunt once on the morning of July 9. Just as he had every other time, Hoy bounced off the glass and lauded the window’s strength.
Unfortunately, Hoy’s second window body-slam of the day wasn’t as successful as the first. It happened in an instant, but it left a lasting impression on everyone in the room.
Garry Hoy ran full-force at the window, but this time he didn’t bounce off. The glass stayed intact, but it popped out of its frame, sending Hoy falling to his death 24 floors below.
Ironically, Hoy proved his point. The glass itself was incredibly strong. The same just couldn’t be said for the window frame.
