Thank you all for the many well wishes and especially the prayers regarding Jacob's and Mike's terrible accident on Saturday.
Here is what happened: While Jacob and Mike were readying to launch a pumpkin, the winch that cocks the trebuchet (a catapult-like device) prematurely triggered. Both Jacob and Mike were then struck several times by a 2,000 pound block of concrete that acts as a counterweight and powers the motion of the trebuchet. A nearby crowd of seven to eight large, strong men who were visiting Roloff Farms on Saturday rushed in to help, pushing the block off of Mike. One of the men carried Jacob, who was initially knocked away by the trebuchet, into Amy’s arms. When this happened, I was in the house with the film crew doing an interview. Jeremy called me to tell me what had happened. 911 was called and ambulances were dispatched. They were both rushed to the hospital’s trauma unit.
After arriving at the hospital, it was determined, based on CT scans, that Jacob had a dime size dent in his head and doctors then performed a procedure to relieve swelling and avoid any seizure or infection. Jacob's surgery went VERY well and he's expected to make a full recovery. Within hours of the procedure, Jacob was back in action, even playing Monopoly with his sister. He should return home within the next few hours.
Mike required substantial stitches, as well as some precautionary X-Rays and CT scans, but otherwise escaped more serious injury He is also expected to make a full recovery and I’m thankful that he was released from the hospital today.
Right now, we are holding our children all a little closer, and focusing on Jacob's and Mike's recovery.
Thank you again for all the well wishes and prayers...and thank you to all our visitors yesterday who jumped in to assist with this unfortunate accident.
Best to you all, Matt
*note: This detailed account was originally written by Matt Roloff to update family and friends, but Matt also wanted fans of the show to have an update as well. This note has been edited for brevity from its original version. posted 10/31
This message has been edited. Last edited by: kim g,
Thanks for the update! Not knowing all the facts was obviously weighing heavily on everyone. It's a TREMENDOUS relief to know it's not as bad as it could have been! I'm sure Jacob and Mike will continue to be in everyone's prayers.
Thank you for the update, Matt. My family and I look forward to seeing Jacob and Mike returning to health and many more episodes of your TV show.
On another note perhaps a "sticky" could be setup at the top of the forum for your future posts so one could be assured that this is Matt that is posting and making it easier to note your postings.
To the whole Roloff family Grandma and Grandpa too! First I just want to say prayers are answered,(specially after reading MAtt's update!) I pray at night to keep a list of people safe and your family is on that list. I have felt so close (even though we have never met) through this board and the show. We will continue to pray for Mike and Jacob and for the family.....We are so happy they are both doing well! Please get some rest, Jacob will need you both when he comes home!
Matt! I am SO sorry to hear about this accident! I am very relieved to read that both are going to be OK. Tell them both that they are SO LUCKY and that there are a lot of people on the forum that will be saying prayers for them as well as the rest of the family & the hospital staff!
Just wanted to say that our families thoughts and prayers are with Jacob and the family right now. I had heard of the accident on the news last night but did not hear of anything until just now on the 5:00 news here on channel 2. I have been watching the show so it seems like I already know each and everyone of you. We will keep praying for both of them for a full recovery and afterwards. Linda Hopkins Beaverton OR
Thanks so much Matt for the time and effort it took to update us. I was thinking of Jacob and Mike all night. I remember seeing Mike around a lot on the show last season and always thought that he seemed like such a nice guy. I hope Jacob is not too disappointed in missing Halloween but I'm sure he'll still get a lot of candy!
Give Zach a big hug from me because now that I know Jacob and Mike are okay, I now feel bad for Zach for having witnessed the accident.
Matt, thanks for the update...I will continue to pray for a speedy recovery for them both. Juat a couple days ago a friend of my family's from our church was in a really bad car accident...there's definite evidence of angels being with him and protecting him...he's doing really good now...his wife did mention that his face looks like a hamburger patty and the vehicle looks like a large-sized VW Bug, but other than that, the only thing he was asking about was his cell phone...if he had been in any other vehicle, he wouldn't be here. He apparently wasnt wearing a seatbelt and was thrown into the back seat...the front seat apparently is twisted almost all the way around, so that may have helped. But we're definitely saying angels. And I'm confident that there were angels during the accident on your farm. Praise God that they are both very much alive!!!
I was at your farm yesterday with my family and we were standing just on the other side of the fence in front of the treb. I cant begin to tell you the sounds and the sights that I still have playing in my head. If you were to have seen this you would not think that mike would be alive. I have a 6 year old son and I was sick thinking of that poor little boy laying on the ground. Thank god that everyone will survive. We love your family and the show.
After reading all the accounts of what happened, I think the thing that amazes me most other than just the fact that everyone sounds like they will be okay, is how a 9 year old can get hit hard enough in the head that it pushes skull fragments into his brain, and not be unconscious at any time? I find that remarkable. I suppose in a way it probably would have been better for him if he had, as I can imagine the pain and fright of the whole ordeal was overwhelming for the poor kid.
Matt, how is Zach doing after witnessing such a horrific event? Even the adults on here posting about what they saw sound pretty shook up, so it must have been horrible for Zach seeing Mike and his brother go through that.
oh wow!!!! I can picture it all in my mind and it sounds really horrible. I am soooooooooo glad that Jacob and Mike are going to be okay. God was there on that farm Saturday. He is an awesome god!!!!
How terrible this is the first I have heard of this. at least Jacob (and Mike) is a live and has suffered no apparent brain damage. That is something to be thankfully for. Even though Jacob is out of harms way I still keep him and the rest of your family in my prays and thoughts
Just think of the story he gets to tell his kids someday
Matt & Amy Our families prayers and thoughts are with you. Also for Mikes family. Thanks for sharing your family with all of us in America. Our family throughly enjoys watching your beautiful family, with all of its daily chores and struggles. Makes us think we are not alone.. God speed and Blessings
God was certainly with Mike and Jacob on Saturday! It seems this was one of those accidents for which there is no explanation as to how they survived...except to say that God was watching over the Roloff farm! My thoughts and prayers are with Mike, Jacob, you and the rest of your terrific family. Thank you for taking the time to update us....you and your family have become like family for a lot of us. God bless you! Joan McNelly Port Orchard, Wa.
Thank you for the update, Matt! I heard about the accident Monday morning and was worried about Jacob and Mike - as the news story said they were listed in "serious" condition. I am so relieved they will be okay!! Yes, God was definitely watching over them that day. There are so many people here who care about your family and will be sending out prayers to Jacob and Mike for a full and speedy recovery!
Blessings and best wishes to your family and Mike's, Bug
We value the factors that you've illuminated as it provides a clarified perspective, listing the regrettable happenstance as they've unfolded, moreover, cluing us in on the prognosis of both Mike and little Jacob.
Might I convey, for the twins 17th birthday that the family take the trebuchet to Manzanita. I'm confident that this time the boys won’t be bellyaching when they carry through with Mollys' kindred proposal. Albeit, trebuchet's popularity has magnified as they dot more landscapes of pumpkin growers, ergo, erring on the side of caution with the "safety measure" you’ve stated, is sound advice.
We wish to extend our heartfelt warmth for both Mike and his loved ones, and of course, to little Jacob and, to you and yours.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: kestrelerr,
Matt, Thanks for the update on Jacob and Mike. I first heard about the accident when you and Amy in the beginning of the show, were thanking everyone for their thoughts and prayers. This has been the first I've been able to find out what had happened. So sorry to hear that this accident occurred. So thankful for God's quick recovery and protection over them so their injuries weren't more severe. God's continued protection on your family and great abundance on your farm. Looks like a great place to live. Karrie from Nebraska
I am so thankful Jacob and Mike are both well from the accident. Continued happiness and success. Enjoy watching the show very much. Thank goodness for their guardian angels.
Hope that Jacob and Mike are doing great and getting better every day. Watch you show when it is on. Just got done watching it tonight and seen that Jacob and Mike got hurt. Want to wish you and your family a Merry Christams and cant wait until the new show's start in March.
Thank You Matt for the update, we feel so much better knowing Mike and Jacob are ok. We love your show. Amy has the most pleasant voice, we love hearing her talk. She could do voiceovers for any studio or project. Merry Christmas and the best of new years.
Oh Wow, it upset me so much to see what had happened and then not to know. My prayer will be for Jacob and Mike and all of you. Thanks for letting us all know what is going on. We feel like your part of our family too.
Hi Matt and Amy, I just saw what happened to Jacob and Mike. I could not believe what I was seeing. I have a little one of my own and I know how heart wretching it is to see your own child to be hurt. My best wishes to all. I am so sorry about the accident. I can't wait to see the rest in March. Have a very Merry Christmas.
Matt and Amy and kiddos, It was so shocking to see the show tonight. Our family was so upset and immediately came to computer to find out how they were. I will say that, because of the emotional connection that we feel to you all, this isn't just entertainment. I am frustrated that TLC didn't give an update when the show was over, at least letting us know that they recovered. IT was obviously serious. God Bless and praise the Lord that they are alright. I was wondering if we could get an update on Chance? IN HIM, Chris
Chris...they are both just fine. In fact, there's a statement from Matt and Amy stating such. I'm just amazed and stymied that TLC decided to make this accident the show finale, when it happened almost two months ago! Obviously, TLC is thinking of ratings.
I watched the show finale last night without any knowledge of the accident. I wish I had known about it because I was extremly upset all night with worry. I decided to look online for any news about it and was glad to find this site. I am so relieved to hear Mike and Jacob are doing ok. I know TLC was just thinking of their ratings but they should have known that this would be upsetting for alot of people. Amy made a comment once that you can't take a break from being a mom. Well I am a mom and it was hard for me to see that even though it was not one of my children. I know that Amy must have been so scared as well as trying to stay strong so she could keep Jacob from falling apart. I just want to send my well wishes to the whole family and to Mike and his family. I pray this will be a very special Christmas for all of them.
I ALSO WANT TO GIVE WELL WISHES TO EVERYONE-LAST NIGHTS FINAL SHOW WAS ONE OF A NIGHTMARE FOR ME ALL I COULD IMAGE IS BOTH OF THEM ON THE GROUND AND AMY TRYING HER BEST TO KEEP THINGS CALM-MAY YOU ALL HAVE A SAFE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR- TAKE A BREAK AND WE'LL SEE YOU IN MARCH. MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU -PATTI T OF MISSOURI
I saw the show last night and was horrified when Jacob and Mike were seriously injured by the trebuchet. Thank you, Matt, for posting an update on this forum. Your family is in my prayers. I pray you have a safe and Happy Holiday season. --Dot
im a little confused...I turned off my tv right before they actually ended the episode...did they show the accident in the previews for the next season or was it actually in the episode? I'm pretty sure I would have remembered seeing it tho...?
I saw the show on Saturday 16,2006 at the end of the epiosode I was very worried because they were palying some scarey music I knew something had gone wrong at first i thought one of the guests got hurt but it was Jacob and Mike. i'm glad to know their ok.
They just replayed the last episode again tonight and we had to change the channel. We are very sorry for this unfortunate accident and we know you must have given your permission in some form for them to air the accident. It's great to hear that Jeremy and Mike are on the mend and we cannot wait to see the new episodes as well. But.... We can now go out on Saturday nights until March anyway. We love your show and your family! It is inspiring and A LOT better that the Osbornes that's for certain. For one thing, we can understand everything you say. Hope evryone's doing well in school!
Thank You Matt on the update of Jacob & Mike. My prayers are with you all. Looking forward to the return of your show in March, 07. God Bless, Millie(Belton, MO).
Hi Matt and your beautiful family, Thank God that He was watching over Mike and your son. I was so upset to see what happened, I knew it had to be true. Your face lost all color and then I knew it was serious. Can't waite for March, we in New York love your show and all of you. THank you so much for sharing your family life with us,and thank God everyone is OK. Sincerely, JoAnn-Oceanside, ny
Please help - I am a little lost. I am reading through the posts and just realized that the episode I saw where at the end Jacob and Mike get hurt was the season finale?? This episode tore me apart and had me worried sick. I am so glad to hear that they are both ok. But now I am confused and do I understand that this was a repeat that I obviously missed the first time around?? The main web site says that there are new shows every Saturday at 8 but I am seeing all repeats and now I see that some have posted that the new season does not start till March?? I'm confused, can someone please straighten this out for me? What's what??? Thank you, Debra
when Jacob and Mike were seriously injured by the trebuchet. 
Thank you, Matt, for posting an update on this forum. Your family is in my prayers. I pray you have a safe and Happy Holiday season. 