Professional bull rider Amadeu Campos Silva passed away on Sunday in Fresno, California, following wounds he received during a bull-riding contest.
His death was attributed to a “terrible wreck” that occurred during competition on the Professional Bull Riders’ Velocity Tour, the organization said in a late Sunday announcement.
After being taken from the Save Mart Center to the Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, he was declared deceased.
“Amadeu was a rising star in our sport; a cowboy with so much potential on and off the dirt,” the statement adds.
“The entire PBR and western sports family extend our thoughts, prayers, and heartfelt condolences to Amadeu’s family and friends.”
The Fresno Bee was informed by the Fresno County Coroner’s office that Silva had passed away, but the cause of death was not disclosed. Silva was thrown off a bull and suffered chest injuries, according to PBR officials, who spoke with USA Today. Cody Lambert, the director of PBR livestock, saw the event and told USA Today what happened.
“He got upside down right under the bull’s back leg when he came off because his spur got tangled up,” Lambert added.
“It’s just an incredibly strange and tragic accident.” USA Today was informed by PBR spokesman Andrew Giangola that the occurrence “was not an act of aggression” by the bull, but rather a “freak accident.”
After racing in PBR Brazil in 2017, Silva, a native of Brazil, immigrated to the United States in 2018. He debuted in 2019 on the Velocity Tour, which showcases the future PBR bull riders. In 2020, he participated in the PBR World Finals.
