Following a New Year’s Eve tumble from a bull at a rodeo event in southern Queensland, a rookie bullrider passed away from his injuries in the hospital.
During the novice bull ride competition at the New Year’s Eve Rodeo at the Warwick Showgrounds, a 25-year-old man from New South Wales was thrown from the bull and afterwards struck by it at around 8 o’clock.
In a Facebook post, eyewitness Melanie Jai described how the bull was riding the man before it fell off and landed on him.
The Warwick Show and Rodeo Society said on Facebook that the family fireworks would be delayed due to “a major arena incident” as paramedics treated the man on the spot.
According to Queensland Ambulance Service, the man had “severe chest injuries” and was taken to the hospital in a critical condition.
According to police, the victim later passed away from his wounds.
The Warwick Show and Rodeo Society said it will hold a fundraising for the man’s family and friends and expressed its “deepest condolences” to them.
The Warwick Show and Rodeo Society said in a Facebook post on Sunday morning that it will be “Passing the Hat Around” at its National Rodeo Association Junior Rodeo in order to help the family financially with funeral expenses and, if feasible, any long-term care.
“Please respect the privacy of the family at this sad time; this is a very painful moment for the family, the Society, the National Rodeo Association, and his fellow competitors,” the statement reads.
The coroner will receive a report.
