A Colorado man named John O’Neill, 33, lost both his legs in a freak accident with a wood chipper during his first day on a new job in Longmont. After a branch shaped like a fish hook got caught on his court-ordered ankle monitor and dragged him into the machine, the blades cut his toes, foot, ankle, and legs. O’Neill was only 15 minutes into his shift when the incident occurred around 10:18 a.m. on September 24. Despite the excruciating pain, he managed to grab onto the edge of the wood chipper in an attempt to hold on.
Due to the protective ear gear worn by his coworkers, it took a minute for them to realize what was happening and hear O’Neill’s cries for help. By the time they were able to pull him out, the blade had reached his mid-thigh area. Police arrived at the scene and transported him to a local hospital before he was flown to St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, Colorado. On the way to the hospital, O’Neill technically died, but medical staff were able to revive him by replacing all the blood in his body. Following the incident, his legs were amputated above the knee, and he only became aware of the extent of his injuries when he woke up in the hospital the following day.
Upon hearing the news, O’Neill’s family rushed to be by his side. His mother was so panic-stricken that doctors admitted her to the hospital for three days. Despite the traumatic experience, O’Neill has chosen not to disclose the identity of his employer or whether he intends to pursue legal action against the company. Instead, he plans to focus on rehabilitation, get prosthetics, and dedicate more time to volunteering. He hopes to use his new platform to advocate for causes he is passionate about, including promoting sobriety from drug and alcohol addiction.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support O’Neill in his recovery and future goals, and it has already raised over $27,000 out of a $30,000 goal. The donations will help cover medical expenses, prosthetics, and support O’Neill as he navigates life without his legs. Despite the challenges he now faces, O’Neill remains optimistic and determined to make the most of his new reality. He is grateful for the outpouring of support from the community and is focused on building a brighter future for himself through advocacy and volunteering.
