This Is Actually Happening 389: What if you were crushed by 10000 pounds of stone? [Rebroadcast Ep274]
Dec 23, 2025
Mike Wolo, a former granite yard worker and survivor, shares his harrowing story after being crushed by 10,000 pounds of stone. He recounts the moment of the accident, waking in the hospital, and the long journey of recovery filled with surgeries and extreme pain. Mike candidly discusses PTSD, agoraphobia, and the struggles of rebuilding his life and identity. Through support from family and friends, he confronts his fears, returns to semi-pro football, and ultimately finds love, becoming a father and embracing life anew.
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Granite Bundle Collapse
- Mike Wolo describes the moment the 9,600-pound granite bundle began to fall inside the shipping container and he tried to run five feet.
- The slab crushed his head against another bundle and the trailer tipped, pinning him under nearly 10,000 pounds of stone.
Rescue And Flight To Trauma Center
- After being freed, Mike was a massive puddle of blood with visible skull and eye injuries as coworkers held his head to stop bleeding.
- He was flown by MedFly to a level‑one trauma center minutes later with only a tenuous pulse.
Waking In ICU With A 2% Chance
- Mike woke in a hospital with a trach and could barely communicate, then squeezed his brother's hand to answer questions.
- Surgeons told family he had a 2% chance of surviving, prompting them to say their goodbyes.