[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]
A Colorado man was just FIFTEEN MINUTES into his first day on the job for a tree-trimming company when a horrific accident nearly claimed his life. Oof. Tree trimming is clearly not a job to find out firsthand is not for you…
Back on September 24, John O’Neill (pictured above) was just beginning his very first day working for a tree removal company in the Denver area. Not even a half-hour into this first shift, though, as he was pushing a tree limb through the wood chipper, part of a branch caught his leg and pulled him in with it.
OMG!!
As he explained to the Denver Post, it was kind of a million to one chance. See, O’Neill had just gotten sober after spending time in rehab. As part of his rehab stay related to addiction issues, a Colorado court had mandated that he wear an ankle monitor after completing his in-patient sobriety work. And it was that ankle monitor which got caught on a hook-shaped end of a branch as it was going into the wood chipper. In mere seconds, the powerful machine was dragging John inside right along with the branch.
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Speaking to the newspaper about his reaction to the situation, John explained how he very quickly realized that he was in a life-or-death fight. As soon as the 33-year-old felt himself being pulled into the machine, he noted:
“Something happened in my brain to where I realized I was in fear for a lot more than just losing my leg or my foot. The pain was very — it was not there almost. I didn’t really feel the pain as much as I knew I was in trouble. It went from a fight for my limb to a fight for my life, very fast.”
The wood chipper’s blades did what they were made to do, and began to slice up his boots, and then his feet, and eventually his legs all the way up to his knees. O’Neill was “yelling for help” the whole time, as he explained to the news outlet. But his co-workers had their regular ear protection on, so they didn’t hear him at first. O’Neill lamented:
“It took a minute before my coworkers realized what was happening.”
It was only a few seconds’ delay, but those few seconds made all the difference. By the time John’s co-workers turned off the machine, the blades had reached the middle of his thighs. John looked down at the carnage and remembered just how awful it really was:
“I looked down and saw something that looked like what you see in movies. I didn’t freak out, I did stay calm. My coworker said I was very cognitive throughout the whole thing.”
Jeez…
Thinking quickly, his co-workers fashioned a makeshift tourniquet out of a rope. They called 911, too, and then kept O’Neill awake and alert through it all. He recalled:
“I was fading out but my co-workers kept me alive.”
First responders arrived very quickly, and eventually airlifted O’Neill to a local hospital. On the way, though, he “technically died.” According to the newspaper’s interview, John’s heart actually stopped while he was being transported to the emergency room. He explained:
“My heart stopped. … They essentially replaced all the blood in my body.”
In the end, both of John’s legs were amputated above the knee, as you can see in the picture (below). But thankfully, he is still alive. And even more amazingly, he has resolved to make the most of his newfound situation.
According to his mom Barbara, just days after the accident John had a conversation with her about his new reality in which he promised to make good of it, saying:
“‘Mom, I’m going to be able to help so many people.'”
John had previously worked with a non-profit organization in Denver that organizes sober events for recovering addicts. And that, he told the Post, is more of the “uncharted territory” that he hopes to traverse now that he survived such a horrible near-death experience:
“I feel like this has given me a bigger platform to help people in recovery from drugs and alcohol and help people in recovery from traumatic events. That’s the kind of goals I’m setting for myself to be right back there and I’m not going to listen to anyone who tells me that’s impossible. I’m someone who can do things I’ve never done before. This is uncharted territory and I can’t wait to dive into it because I feel like life is going to be more exciting. I’ve always enjoyed a challenge.”
FWIW, John did not tell the Denver Post the name of the company he worked for in those fifteen minutes on the job, nor did he reveal whether he plans to file any litigation over the accident. He did say, however, that he “firmly believes” that he would have been able to extricate himself from the wood chipper were he not wearing his court-ordered ankle monitor.
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Since then, one of John’s friends has been organizing and maintaining a GoFundMe page meant to support him after the terrible accident. That friend, Garrett Safir, wrote this on the page after it was first published late last month:
“John was in a horrific accident at work and has had both legs amputated above the knee. It’s beyond a miracle that John is still with us, and he’s fighting harder than ever. John grew up being very active in all sports, including some extreme ones! Our friend has always been pretty reckless and living life on the edge! All while doing so, being a warrior in life. A man with a skill set ready for anything in life, even this new journey ahead.”
Safir’s explanation continued with great optimism for what may lie ahead for John:
“John has very high spirits and is ready to get back to some rock climbing. I’m here today so we can all show our boy and his family love and support through these times. Many obstacles ahead, but we got this! All donation funds will be put towards any accessories, new housing, rehabilitation, equipment and day to day tools to make his new life a bit easier.”
And then, late last week, Safir shared a brand-new update on the page in which he thanked everyone for their “love and support” for O’Neill. Garrett also shared a picture of John smiling and flexing his biceps while sitting in a wheelchair. In the update, the loyal pal noted along with the picture:
“John is crushing his recovery faster than everyone. You guys are the reason he fights so hard!”
Amazing!
You can visit the John’s GoFundMe page HERE. As of Wednesday afternoon, that page had raised nearly $26,000 in donations following the horrific accident. Unbelievable. Sending all the love and light in the world for a healthy recovery!
[Image via GoFundMe/20th Century Fox/Disney+]
