John Thompson’s life took a drastic turn in just a few moments. At 18 years old, he lost both of his arms above the elbows while doing chores on his family’s farm. Against all odds, he survived the ordeal, and surgeons were able to reattach both limbs.
What followed was a sudden surge of media interest, with many eager to learn more about the young man who defied the odds. Though he didn’t enjoy the public spotlight, Thompson was driven to use his experience to make a difference.
He eventually became a motivational speaker, encouraging thousands across the country to take safety seriously when operating farm equipment or heavy machinery.
Early Life
In 1992, John Wayne Thompson was a high school senior living in Hurdsfield, North Dakota. The youngest of three children, he was the only one still living at home with his parents, Larry and Karen.
A quiet and introverted teen, Thompson had a small group of close friends and wasn’t very socially active. Rather than spending weekends in the nearby town of Bowdon, he preferred helping out around the farm.
He had a passion for singing and was even considering a future in music. But he was also interested in aviation and had plans to go to college after graduation.
The Accident
On Saturday, January 11, 1992, Thompson woke up late and knew he had work to do. His parents had gone to Bismarck earlier that day and asked him to unload a truckload of barley.
The task required using an auger powered by a tractor, connected via a power takeoff (PTO) shaft. Once everything was running smoothly, Thompson began playing with his dog, Tuffy, while keeping an eye on the process.
But icy conditions caused him to slip — and he fell directly into the rotating shaft.
He blacked out, but his dog woke him. When he came to, he realized he was lying on his left side. Looking over, he didn’t see his right arm. Thinking it was simply broken, he tried to push himself up with his left — only to discover both arms were gone.
Still in shock, he leaned against a tractor tire and stood up. He thought he was dreaming. Then he screamed — but no one was nearby to hear him.
Alone and seriously injured, Thompson had only one option: walk to the house and call for help.
Despite the massive trauma, he walked over 100 yards and tried to open the sliding glass door, but it wouldn’t budge. He then made his way to the front entrance, got on his knees, and turned the doorknob using his teeth.
Once inside, he headed to the office and dialed a friend’s number using his nose. The line was busy. He then used a pencil in his mouth to call his cousin Tammy, who quickly coordinated an ambulance — since there wasn’t one based in Hurdsfield.
While waiting for help, Thompson climbed into the bathtub, concerned about getting blood on the carpet.
When paramedics arrived, he was still conscious and speaking. He even asked his cousin whether someone had shut off the tractor. On the way to the hospital, he saw a bag containing his arms. Shortly after, he was flown to Minneapolis for emergency surgery.
Even in that critical moment, he stayed upbeat — cracking jokes and asking to sit near the window, as it was his first time on a plane.
Complex Surgery
At North Memorial Hospital, surgeon Dr. Allen Van Beek performed a six-hour operation to reattach both arms. The procedure involved reconnecting major arteries and veins and doing skin grafts.
Thompson spent several weeks in a medically induced coma to prevent infection and allow his body to recover. He received numerous blood transfusions due to the amount of blood lost at the scene.
When he finally woke up, he could slightly bend his elbows, but had no feeling in his hands. By early February, he was able to raise his arms in front of the media — an emotional moment that made national news.
Sudden Fame
During his hospital stay, Thompson received a visit from actor Emilio Estevez and heard from other celebrities who offered their support.
Fans sent letters and donations from around the world. He also received T-shirts and music tapes from his favorite band, Guns N’ Roses.
By the end of February, he returned home to North Dakota and continued his rehabilitation. He had additional surgeries, including one to rebuild his bicep using muscle from his back.
At his high school graduation in May 1992, reporters and photographers showed up in large numbers. Overwhelmed by the attention, Thompson hid in the school library. Days later, his story was featured in People magazine.
Colleges offered him scholarships, and he enrolled at the University of Mary in Bismarck. He also learned how to drive using a specially adapted steering wheel.
Balancing college life with public speaking, he began traveling the country to talk about farm safety.
In 1993, he was invited to the White House, where he met President Bill Clinton and later joined First Lady Hillary Clinton in a campaign to improve emergency services in rural communities.
But fame also brought challenges — including stalkers who followed him to events. He had to notify police regularly for his own safety.
He eventually left college in his second year to focus on his speaking career. He traveled widely and even sang the National Anthem at a Minnesota Twins game.
He was so in demand that he even turned down an invitation to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Over time, however, the public spotlight dimmed, and Thompson welcomed the privacy.
He later wrote a book titled Home in One Piece, published in 2001.
Life After the Headlines
Thompson later worked in real estate but faced daily challenges. For instance, he couldn’t unlock doors himself due to his limited hand function. He also couldn’t receive a salary because of disability benefit rules — so he eventually left the job.
His memory of the period right after the accident, including meeting the Clintons, is hazy. Doctors attributed it to the extreme blood loss he suffered.
He now owns property in both Minneapolis and Minot and has taken on DIY home renovation projects. Although he’s in a good place today, he’s been open about his long battle with depression.
He spoke honestly about those struggles during his talks, even in the late ’90s. These days, he focuses on staying active and continues to enjoy singing in his free time.
Recovery has been long and painful. He can move his arms slightly but can’t fully straighten them. His hands remain curled, and attempting to open them can tear the skin. Though modern prosthetics could improve his grip, Thompson says he’s adapted to his own way of doing things.
His courage and fast thinking helped save his life on that icy day in 1992 — and over time, he has slowly built a new one.
