A young man died in hospital from his injuries after falling from a bull at a rodeo event in southern Queensland on New Year’s Eve.
The 25-year-old New South Wales man was flung from the bull and struck by it around 8 p.m. during the NYE Rodeo at Warwick Showgrounds.
“He was riding the bull, came off, and the bull landed on him,” witness Melanie Jai said in a Facebook post.
Paramedics treated him on the site, and revelers were informed that the family fireworks would be postponed due to “a serious arena incident”.
Another attendee posted a video of the aftermath of the incident, which included two ambulances on the scene. Many in the crowd were visibly concerned as the injured rider was put into an ambulance behind a white barrier.
“If it wasn’t for the bull rider being seriously injured the first ambulance that got bogged would be comical,” they stated in their response. Some people responded furiously when organizers assured spectators that the early fireworks would still go off when people inquired about the delay.
“The fact that people are more concerned about the time the fireworks were going to start then (sic) someone’s life is actually disgusting,” one person remarked on the organizer’s Facebook post.
According to the Queensland Ambulance Service, the rider was brought to the hospital in critical condition after suffering “serious chest injuries”. According to police, the victim eventually died from his injuries. As word spread that the young rider did not make it, several people expressed their condolences online.
“RIP Cowboy…my condolences to family, friends and Rodeo community,” according to a local. “Devastated for his family.” “Rest in peace, young man,” another added.
