(Update: Added video, comments from rodeo volunteer and staff)
SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A bull jumped a fence and escaped from the Sisters Rodeo arena during Saturday night’s horse riding event, hitting and injuring three people as it ran through the grounds of the rodeo, sparking a frantic scramble for safety, authorities said. Rodeo officials said Sunday that all of the injured had returned home from the hospital.
The incident occurred shortly before 10 p.m. at 84th Sisters Rodeo, a popular event that attracts many of the country’s top cowboys and thousands of spectators.
“Everyone behind me was screaming and everyone was trying to get out of the way,” rodeo volunteer Paige Chamberlain told us Sunday.
Deschutes County Sheriff’s Sgt. Joshua Spano said several ambulances were called to the scene and “they caught the bull pretty quickly.”
Sheriff’s Lt. Jayson Janes said Sunday that deputies transported a patient with non-life-threatening injuries and that a deputy was also slightly injured while responding to the bull’s location.
Leslie Lange Rodeo Company provides the livestock for the rodeo, both horses and bulls.
“Last night was rare,” Lange said Sunday. “As a contractor hired by the Sisters Rodeo, I represent the Sisters Rodeo. This is not something we ever want to happen.”
Once the bull was captured, it was returned home Saturday evening.
“We obviously can’t repeat that scenario,” Lange said, “but we’re going to take him home, fight him again, train with him and try to never put him in that situation again.”
The Sisters Rodeo Association released a statement early Sunday (in full below) that three people were injured “as a direct result of the bull, two of whom were transported to a local hospital.”
The association said the rodeo announcer “immediately activated the emergency response plan” as “the bull fled across the rodeo grounds and returned to the cattle pens.”
“Rodeo livestock professionals responded quickly to safely contain the bull,” the statement continued. “He was secured next to the cattle pens by our rodeo pickers and immediately placed in a pen.”
“We wish the best to everyone involved. The safety of our fans is our highest priority and we appreciate their support,” the association said, adding that Sunday’s final performance of the year went ahead as planned.
Sisters Rodeo Vice President Brian Witt told NewsChannel 21 before Sunday’s performance, “Rodeo is an inherently dangerous sport, especially bull riding. But this (an escaped bull ) is a very rare occasion. We’ve never had that here at our Sisters Rodeo. But what we do is we plan for it.
“Luckily, we had a great response from our rodeo truckers, as well as a lot of security personnel and medical personnel, to really prevent a lot of further injuries,” Witt added.
In a subsequent message Sunday afternoon, the rodeo association said, “We are grateful to hear that all of those injured are now home.”
The packed crowd was singing Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” from loudspeakers when the circling bull jumped the fence.
Danielle Smithers was among the rodeo fans with her cell phone flashlight on as the bull named Party Bus moved around the ring with two riders on horseback while the crowd sang and swayed to the music.
“And about 30 seconds in, I stopped and looked at it, and I was like, ‘This is just too good not to have video,'” Smithers told the Associated Press. She turned off her flashlight and “started recording.” the bull, just the next one, makes his loop – and as he started to make his second loop in my video, he just goes over the fence, she said.
“Get to higher ground, everyone!” There’s a bull outside! the announcer said quickly. “Go to the heights!” Open the doors, Billy! Everyone on the grass: go under the stands or climb into the stands! The pickups are coming!”
“Everyone keep your eyes open!” ” He continued. “A bull is in the grass – a bull has jumped the fence of the arena and he is in the grass! If you’re in the grass, move out of the way! The pickups are coming!
Videos shared with NewsChannel 21 and posted to social media show the bull jumping the fence, then running through the relatively light late-night crowd as rodeo fans rushed to get out of his way.
Marcelle Abel, who posted a brief video on Facebook of the bull running, called it “the craziest thing I’ve seen in a long time!” »
Abel wrote: “The bull jumps the fence at the Sisters Rodeo tonight while we wait for the last rider and charges through the crowd behind the stands. I’m not sure of the details of the injuries, but I’m praying for the few people who may have been injured.”
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association also released a statement (also detailed below), calling it an “alarming incident” at the PRCA-sanctioned event, which “reminded us that while rodeo is a sport very entertaining, on very rare occasions it can also present some risk.
“Several spectators were injured and received medical treatment,” they said. “The PRCA extends its thoughts and best wishes to those who have been injured or otherwise affected by this frightening and very rare incident.”
The association said it “selects only the best pickups. They are the best, most highly trained riders anywhere, and we are grateful that their training has helped prevent further injury or harm.” loss of life.”
