Former Rocky Reporter James Meadow Dies After Bike Wreck

 

DENVER, CO (March 9, 2009) – Former Rocky Mountain News reporter James B. Meadow, who only nine days ago wrote his last story for the newspaper on the eve of the Rocky's closing, died last night from injuries suffered Friday when he was in a bicycle accident while riding in Chatfield State Park.

Friends of Meadow said the journalist was critically injured in the mishap and had been airlifted from the scene to the Swedish Medical Center, where his condition worsened over the weekend and he died Sunday evening.

Former Rocky photojournalist Barry Guiterrez said Meadow was riding by himself at the time of the accident, and that it looked like the journalist "just fell off his bike." Meadow was wearing a helmet, Guiterrez said. Friends of the reporter said that he had undergone major heart surgery a few years ago and that while they don't know it for certain, they suspect Meadow had some type of a "heart episode" that left him short of breath or caused him to pass out and fall.

An experienced cyclist, Meadow had multiple broken bones and a collapsed lung when he was airlifted to hospital.

"He was taking a celebratory ride," Guiterrez told News Photographer magazine today. "He had literally just finished the writing and editing process of a new book with photographer John Fielder" about Colorado's "ranching royalty."

Meadow is survived by his wife Julie, daughter Miranda, and son Matt.

A friend of the reporter, Brad Bawmann, who was called by the hospital on Meadow's cell phone while emergency room personnel were trying to identify the accident victim, wrote that Meadows had been "twice revived" before or during the medical airlift, and that when he was called on Friday evening Meadow in critical and unstable condition.

A statement from the Meadow family on Sunday night said that a CT on Sunday showed brain activity. "We are humbled by your thoughts and prayers these past few days. Your outpouring of love and kindness has kept us strong during this difficult time," the family said.

Friends of the Far Rockaway, NY, native have filled a Facebook page with memories of the award-winning, veteran journalist.

 

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