Following a bull’s escape from the rodeo arena and subsequent charge across the event grounds over the weekend in Oregon, four individuals were hurt, two of whom were hospitalized. Among them was a sheriff’s officer.
The incident happened in Deschutes County, near Bend, Oregon, at the Sisters Rodeo on June 8th, during the last phase of the bull-riding event. Video captured by onlookers shows the bull, nicknamed “Party Bus,” crashing headfirst into a fence and launching himself free of it just before the night’s last ride.
Another video showed the bull dragging one person and throwing them into the air as it escaped before the situation went into complete mayhem at a concessions area next to the parking lot. The terrifying incident was short-lived, as the animal was soon brought back to the cattle holding cages by rodeo officials.
The bull’s escape was captured by Danielle Smithers, who said that she was trying to shoot a crowd flashlight show when she unintentionally captured the scene. Smithers filmed the bull crossing the fence and then vanishing.
There were further videos online that showed the bull charging into the concession area, sending people scurrying as it knocked over a trash can. One individual was picked up and thrown to the ground.
According to a Facebook post by Sisters Rodeo on Sunday, the protection of spectators is of the utmost importance, and rodeo personnel and local authorities rushed to the scene of the accident to provide first aid. The rodeo announcer promptly revealed the emergency plan.
A statement said that the bull dashed across the rodeo grounds and returned to the cattle holding cages. Experts in rodeo cattle rushed swiftly to apprehend the bull safely. The rodeo pickup crew promptly secured it outside to the cattle pens and took it inside.
The people who had been treated at the hospital following the event have now been discharged, according to a second statement released by the rodeo on Sunday.
According to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), this event serves as a sobering reminder that rodeo, despite its many positive aspects, may, in very rare instances, be dangerous. They sent their well-wishes to those affected.
