ÎYÂRHE NAKODA – A bull rider was bucked off and fatally injured by a bull at a rodeo in Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation Sunday (July 2).
Homer Holloway, a member of the Nation's Canada Day Rodeo committee, said the rider – a young male – was hit in the back of the head by the bull's horn after he was thrown during competition at the Chiniki Rodeo Grounds.
"He had a helmet on. The helmet didn't even crack or anything, but the bull rider was helped up and he walked out of the arena, went behind the bucket chutes and that's where he collapsed," said Holloway.
On-site paramedics treated the man before he was transported via ground ambulance to Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary.
Phil Dais, AHS EMS spokesperson, confirmed the death of the bull rider but did not share any other information, including the man's identity and time of death. The Outlook has also reached out to RCMP for more information and will update this story when a response is received.
Holloway said the incident occurred around 5 p.m. The rider was one of the final participants in the bull riding competition and the four-day rodeo was a qualifying stop on the Indian National Finals Rodeo circuit.
"It just happened really fast and it was unexpected," said Holloway. "It's tragic,"
Nakoda Emergency Services fire and EMS personnel also responded to the incident, but the agency said they couldn't share any further details at this time.
The story will be updated as more information becomes available.
The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada. The position covers Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation and Kananaskis Country.
