On May 29, 2025, the Poudre Fire Authority (PFA) responded to a call about a car that had flipped and ended up underwater in an irrigation ditch.
Firefighters quickly worked to reach the overturned vehicle and found one 21-year-old Fisher Bennett, the son of Jason Bennett, a firefighter and engineer on Rescue 4 at PFA.
Fisher is a baseball player who primarily played shortstop and bats left-handed at Fort Collins High School.
He has experience in multiple positions and has recorded a 7.2-second time in the 60-yard dash.
Fisher has played club baseball for four seasons, including time with the Colorado Lightning at both the AA and AAA levels, and also with the Young Guns.
Moreover, he works as a wildland firefighter for Larimer County and had just returned from working on a wildfire with the Roosevelt Hot Shots team only hours before the crash.
Fisher Bennett Continues To Improve After ICU Stay, Showing Signs Of Recovery And Gaining Strength Each Day
Fisher is being supported by his parents, Jason and Alisa, his brother Tanner, his sister Cedar, along with their extended family, friends, and everyone at the Poudre Fire Authority.
On May 31, 2025, doctors at UCHealth Anschutz began lowering his sedation, and he responded by moving slightly and even squeezing his father Jason’s hand.
Though he became uncomfortable and sedation had to be resumed, it was an early and encouraging sign.
The ECMO machine, which helps remove carbon dioxide from his blood, continued to support his recovery.
By June 1, Fisher was more responsive, nodding to answer questions and showing joy when his best friend visited.
While he remained on the ECMO machine and faced challenges ahead, these signs lifted the spirits of his loved ones.
On June 2, he demonstrated further improvement by recognizing familiar faces and responding to words and letters, indicating progress in his cognitive function.
A feeding tube was placed to help him regain energy, although he wasn’t thrilled about it. He still remained intubated and on ECMO at that time.
On June 4, Fisher was successfully taken off the ECMO machine, and his vital signs remained stable.
Later that day, his breathing tube was removed, and he was able to speak again, bringing joy and relief to his family.
The next day, on June 5, doctors focused on helping him adjust after a long stay in the ICU.
They began reducing daytime sedation and working to restore a normal sleep-wake cycle.
Therapists from speech, occupational, and physical therapy teams are preparing to start working with him.
Fisher is eager to recover and get back to living fully, and his family remains deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- He is a former Science Olympian.
- He was moved to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus so doctors could focus on stabilizing his blood gases and carbon dioxide levels, which were critical at that stage of his care.
