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‘Miracle’ Colorado worker loses both legs in wood chipper freak accident on first day on job

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‘Miracle’ Colorado worker loses both legs in wood chipper freak accident on first day on job


A Colorado tree worker miraculously survived a freak accident with a wood chipper that left him losing both legs minutes into his first day on the job.

John O’Neill, 33, fitted with a court-ordered ankle monitor, was throwing tree branches into the machine when one caught the tracking device and dragged him into the chipper, according to the Denver Post.

O’Neill, who had battled addiction and is now sober and excited about his new job, had both legs amputated above his knee following the life-altering accident at 10:18 a.m. on Sept. 24.

“It’s beyond a miracle that John is still with us, and he’s fighting harder than ever,” O’Neill’s friend George Safir wrote on GoFundMe. “Our friend has always been pretty reckless and living life on the edge! All while doing so, being a warrior in life.”

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John O’Neill suffered a freak accident during his first day of work that left him with both of his legs amputated on Sept. 24, 2024. Gofundme

Only 15 minutes into the workday in Longmont, O’Neill grabbed a fish hook-shaped branch and threw it into the machine.

The end of the branch caught onto O’Neil’s ankle monitor and dragged his leg into the spinning blades where it began cutting into his toes, foot, ankle and legs.

None of O’Neill’s coworkers immediately heard his cries for help as they were all wearing ear protection.

“It took a minute before my coworkers realized what was happening,” O’Neill told the outlet.

O’Neill with his family after he was flown to St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood. Gofundme

As the machine continued to eat into him, O’Neill began believing his time was ending.

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“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,” O’Neill said.

“The pain was very — it was not there almost,” he recalled. “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.”

O’Neill described the accident as “something that looked like what you see in movies,” as he saw skin, bones, muscle and a lot of blood coming out of his legs.

O’Neill, who had battled addiction is now sober and was excited about his new job. Garrett W Safir / Facebook

O’Neill said remained as calm as possible to keep his heart rate down.

“I didn’t freak out, I did stay calm,” O’Neill said. “My coworker said I was very cognitive throughout the whole thing.”

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A coworker pulled him out as the blade reached his midthighs and O’Neill grabbed a nearby rope for a makeshift tourniquet.

He faded in and out of consciousness but credits his coworkers for keeping him alive using sternum rubs.

Police arrived at the scene and secured actual tourniquets on the remainder of O’Neill’s legs before he was rushed to a local hospital where he was flown to St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, just outside of Denver.

During the helicopter ride, O’Neill “technically died,” he told the outlet, saying his heart stopped.

He “firmly believes” the ankle monitor design is why he couldn’t free himself from the wood chipper.

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Doctors amputated the remainder of O’Neill’s mangled legs and needed to give him 15 pints of blood.

“They essentially replaced all the blood in my body,” he said.

Among the many people and organizations O’Neill has reconnected with during his hospitalization is “the Phoniex,” the non-profit that creates “sober events and activities” to help those battling addiction. Garrett W Safir / Facebook

When he woke up in his hospital room the next day, O’Neill called his mother who was left “in such a panic” she had to be admitted into the hospital for three days, according to the Denver Post.

Among the many people and organizations O’Neill has reconnected with during his hospitalization is “the Phoniex,” the non-profit that creates “sober events and activities” to help those battling addiction.

With the non-profit, O’Neill looks to continue his volunteer work where he will lead rock climbing and CrossFit events with the help of adaptive specialists.

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“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,” he said.

With the non-profit, O’Neill looks to continue his volunteer work where he will lead rock climbing and CrossFit events with the help of adaptive specialists. Garrett W Safir / Facebook

O’Neill is “crushing his recovery faster than anyone,” Safir said. “John has very high spirits and is ready to get back to some rock climbing.”



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Bishop Castle is still standing as Aspen Acres wildfire continues to burn nearby

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Bishop Castle is still standing as Aspen Acres wildfire continues to burn nearby


RYE, Colo. (KOAA) — Bishop Castle faces an uncertain, but hopeful, future as the Aspen Acres wildfire burns nearby and its caretaker recovers in the hospital following a fall.

Daniel Bishop, who cares for Bishop Castle — the landmark his father built brick by brick — was admitted to the hospital more than a week ago after a fall. Soon after, evacuation orders came, putting the beloved structure in the Aspen Acres wildfire red zone.

“The whole backdrop of my life just changing from one drastic nightmare to the next,” Daniel said.

His wife, Sage Bishop, described the toll the back-to-back crises have taken on the family.

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“We’re used to being in the mountains and working with our hands and doing things and our lives have been turned upside down,” Sage said.

And while recovering, Bishop says he didn’t know what would come of the iconic Colorado landmark.

“By the time the whole scene was printed, it was a nightmare,” Daniel said.

Many people online have been asking whether Bishop Castle survived the fire. The Bishop Castle Facebook page posted that, according to the incident management team, Bishop Castle is still standing.

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For Daniel, that news brings only partial relief.

“I generally don’t celebrate until I really know it’s time to celebrate. Until I lay my eyes on the property and know exactly what’s happened,” Daniel said.

He also said fires can be unpredictable, so getting excited about the condition of the castle feels too soon.

“The truth is the fire is still burning, and fires are very predictable, and it could turn around and come back from the other direction,” said Daniel.

But he did say there is some reassuring news on the ground.

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“There are actual fire crews there doing their job to protect the castle, there are actually people in there. Boots on the ground and helping out,” Daniel said.

He said he still worries for the many people whose homes are nearby. People who continue to support the family.

“God bless the first responders for every piece of structure, everybody’s property that they managed to save, because we are the fortunate ones in all of this right now. There are so many that have lost everything they had,” Daniel said.

Even with the uncertainty, the family is definitely certain about one thing… Sage said the outpouring of concern from the public has meant a great deal to the family.

“The support from people that care about us is amazing,” Sage said.

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The family says Daniel is progressing very well and appreciates the support and kind words from the community. He said he couldn’t get through this without those at Encompass Health Rehabilitation.

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47,000 Acres, 0% Containment, and New Evacuations

The Aspen Acres Fire continues to rage out of control, growing to over 47,000 acres with zero containment. New mandatory evacuations have been issued for the Red Creek area as the fire threatens thousands of structures across multiple counties.

47,000 Acres, 0% Containment, and New Evacuations

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Most Expensive Colorado Buffaloes Road Tickets This Fall

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Most Expensive Colorado Buffaloes Road Tickets This Fall


The Colorado Buffaloes are on the road for four of their first seven games in 2026, including two of their three non-conference games.

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With so much time on the road, especially early in the season, it is important for fans to know which games are worth traveling to. Here’s a look at Colorado’s most to least expensive road games to attend for the 2026 season and the reasoning behind the prices (all prices according to VividSeats).

1. Week 3 at Northwestern Wildcats

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Oct 29, 2022; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; The Northwestern Wildcats mascot Willie the Wildcat in action during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports

  • Lowest ticket price: $562

Colorado’s matchup against the Northwestern Wildcats is far and away the most expensive game to attend. The price may appear confusing given the relatively low expectations both teams have coming into the 2026 season, but it is simply a matter of the venue the game will take place in. 

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Northwestern’s matchup against Colorado will be the final game it hosts in Martin Stadium, its soccer arena, before the construction of New Ryan Field is complete. The stadium has a capacity of just 12,023, which has inflated the price of admission as a result.

2. Week 8 at Oklahoma State Cowboys

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Nov 15, 2025; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys huddle during the first half against the Kansas State Wildcats at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

  • Lowest ticket price: $129

As for Colorado’s most expensive Big 12 road contest, it has nothing to do with the stadium and everything to do with excitement. After a combined 4-20 record over the last two seasons, Oklahoma State Cowboy fans are finally seeing a glimmer of hope. 

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Former North Texas coach Eric Morris took over the role at OSU during the offseason and brought his best players with him. The hype surrounding the team has created a marquee matchup and driven prices as a result.

3. Week 1 at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

  • Lowest ticket price: $106

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Speaking of marquee matchups, there are potentially none more qualified to be such than the Buffs’ season opener. It is an opportunity for revenge against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets following the Buffs’ loss to them at home to start the 2025 season. That game was down to the wire, and with this matchup appearing to be similar on paper, tickets are in very high demand. 

4. Week 4 at Baylor Bears

However, prices take a dip with the Buffs’ Big 12 opener. Their matchup against the Baylor Bears may be the best deal of the season, as it will feature two explosive offenses in what is sure to be a Texas shootout. If it resembles Colorado’s most recent matchup against the Bears at all, that entertainment will be worth the price of admission and then some.

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5. Week 10 at Arizona State Sun Devils

ASU football coach Kenny Dillingham reflects on emotions, improvements after a loss to USC. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

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Another significant drop-off occurs in the Buffs’ matchup against the Arizona State Sun Devils. This game is missing the glaring storylines that Colorado’s other matchups have, as both teams have much to prove. However, it will be Colorado’s opportunity for revenge against former star receiver Omarion Miller, who left the Buffs for the Sun Devils during the offseason.

6. Week 12 at Cincinnati Bearcats

But the cheapest game to travel to for Buffs fans contains even fewer storylines than the previous spot on this list. Cincinnati was eaten alive by the transfer portal during the offseason, as it has a roster of youth looking to prove itself. If either team’s season is going better than expected by that point, the game’s affordability may not remain for long.

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Where to watch San Francisco Giants vs Colorado Rockies: TV channel, start time, streaming for July 4

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Where to watch San Francisco Giants vs Colorado Rockies: TV channel, start time, streaming for July 4


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The 2026 MLB season has surpassed the quarter mark, and after each team’s first 40 games, there’s plenty of reasons to tune in all summer long.

Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami has already proven doubters wrong by launching 17 home runs, Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes consistently looks like the best version of himself on the mound and Milwaukee ace Jacob Misiorowski is throwing harder than any starter in the majors.

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The MLB action continues on Saturday as the San Francisco Giants visit the Colorado Rockies.

Here’s everything you need to know to tune in for the first pitch.

See USA TODAY’s sortable MLB schedule to filter by team or division.

What time is San Francisco Giants vs Colorado Rockies?

First pitch between the Colorado Rockies and San Francisco Giants is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, July 4.

How to watch San Francisco Giants vs Colorado Rockies on Saturday

All times Eastern and accurate as of Saturday, July 4, 2026, at 6:10 a.m.

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Watch MLB all season long with Fubo

MLB regional blackout restrictions apply

MLB scores, results

MLB scores for July 4 games are available on usatoday.com . Here’s how to access today’s results:

See scores, results for all of today’s games.



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