John Hutt does an Aron Ralston, chops off toes after getting trapped (VIDEO)

Does slicing off body parts transform ordinary people into comedians? Colorado's own Aron Ralston, renowned for amputating much of his arm, was a laugh a minute during his Starz Denver Film Festival introduction of 127 Hours, the James Franco-starring movie he inspired. And Montrose's John Hutt is a joke-cracking machine...

By Michael Roberts

September 1, 2011

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Does slicing off body parts transform ordinary people into comedians? Colorado's own Aron Ralston, renowned for amputating much of his arm, was a laugh a minute during his Starz Denver Film Festival introduction of 127 Hours, the James Franco-starring movie he inspired. And Montrose's John Hutt is a joke-cracking machine when talking about his decision to slice off several toes after his foot was stuck under a tractor trailer.

The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel has the most thorough account of Hutt's ordeal. According to the paper, the semi-retired logger, 61, was working in a remote, cell-service-challenged part of San Miguel County when a tractor-trailer weighing an estimated six tons fell on his right foot.

After debating about his options for half an hour or so, he decided the only way he'd get out of the situation alive would be to slice off his toes.

It wasn't easy work. He only had a pocketknife, and by the time he got to the major tendons connecting the last of the trapped toes, the blade was pretty dull. But he kept at it until he was free, then wrapped his foot in a T-shirt held on with some electrical tape and drove back toward civilization.

Hutt took his toes with him, but they couldn't be reattached. Still, he doesn't seem overcome with grief to bid them farewell. Far from it: In the 9News video below, he claims with a chuckle that the only way people will notice his alleged disability is if he tries to run and tips over.

Hear Hutt tell his story below.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

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