Teenager dies after being thrown from bull and run over at rodeo

A teenager has died after being thrown from a bull that then stomped on him during a rodeo in North Carolina.

Stokes County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was alerted to reports of a cardiac arrest at a Rafter K Rodeo Company LLC event in King at approximately 8:24 p.m. on Saturday January 28.

Although two paramedics took lifesaving action at the scene, the teenager was taken to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead, according to Fox 8.

The victim, named by the family as Denim Bradshaw, 14, is believed to have fallen from a bull during the event before it ran him over.

Shaun Renn said in a Facebook post on Sunday: “Well my mum just called and my little nephew and then I wanted to take part in the bull riding contest and he fell down and then the bull came and ran him over and he just died rest in peace denim bradshaw i’m so sorry this happened to you you’re too young.”

A spokesperson for Rafter K Rodeo Company, LLC said in a post uploaded to Facebook on Sunday, “Everyone here at Rafter K Rodeo Company, LLC would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of bull rider, Denim Bradshaw.

“Our sport is truly a family and we are so grateful to everyone who was there to help us. We are grateful to our EMTs, paramedics and law enforcement who work so hard to take care of the cowboys .

“This is a tragic event and words cannot describe the pain of this loss. We ask everyone to come together and pray for their families for comfort and healing at this difficult time.”

The Sauratown Trailblazers Horse Club said in a Facebook post on Sunday, January 29, “The Sauratown Trailblazers send their condolences and prayers for the family and friends of Denim Bradshaw, the 14-year-old bull rider who lost his life the night last at the rodeo in King.

“We are also thinking of the people who were there and saw it, as well as the first responders who did their best to help.”

rodeo injuries

A June 2022 study published in the Kansas Journal of Medicine said it identified 70 patients who had been injured in rodeo events over a 10-year period.

He added: “Half were injured by direct contact with rodeo equipment and 34 by falls. Head injuries were the most common, occurring in 38 (54.3%). Twenty injuries (28.6 %) required surgery. Sixty-nine patients (98.6%) were discharged home. There was one death.

The study also found that serious head injuries occur among rodeo athletes at a rate of up to 15 per 1,000 outings. By comparison, the study indicates that professional soccer players suffer from serious head injuries at a rate of 5.8 per 100,000 players.

A GoFundMe campaign was organized on behalf of Bradshaw’s family after his death.

The campaign, organized by Persephone Bowman, said: “He was able to ride his first bull on January 28 and his excitement was palatable. None of us could believe that this first ride would cause his death, and we are beyond devastated. Our sweet 14-year-old boy lost his life during what was the most exciting time of his short life, and we are now lost without him.

“Denim always had a twinkle in his eyes and a smile on his face lighting up every room he entered. He dreamed of becoming an officer with his dog Aphora. To know Denim was to love him.”

Since its launch on Sunday, the GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $5,000 of a goal of $15,000.

Bradshaw is survived by his mother, Shannon Bowman, his father Billy as well as his siblings, Braxton Knight, Triston Knight, Persephone Bowman and Daylin Scott.

Newsweek contacted Bradshaw’s family and Stokes County EMS for comment.