Amadeu Campos Silva, 22, from Brazil died at the rodeo Sunday in Fresno, California, from injuries he suffered after being stomped on by a bull
A rising star bull rider from Brazil died at the rodeo Sunday in Fresno, California, from injuries he suffered after being stomped on by a bull.
Amadeu Campos Silva, 22, was competing in Round Two at the Professional Bull Riders' Velocity Tour event at the Save Mart Center when he was bucked off a bull named Classic Man just 5.31 seconds into the ride.
He was thrown onto the ground and suffered chest injuries after the bull's hind legs landed on his chest. Competing bulls typically weigh between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds.
Silva was taken to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno where he was pronounced dead, as reported by USA Today, just three days before his 23rd birthday.
PBR's livestock director Cody Lambert said he saw the crash and told USA Today: 'When he came off, his spur got tangled up and it turned him upside down right under the bull’s back leg. It's just a really freak, tragic accident.'
Andrew Giangola, a PBR spokesperson, agreed and said there was no indication the bull did anything out of the ordinary. 'This was not an act of aggression,' he said.
'The bull was bucking in his normal pattern. Amadeu’s spur got hung up in the flank rope, and he was pulled under the bull in a freak accident,' Giangola added.
Silva lived in Sunset, Texas, where he moved with his parents after he joined the PBR's US tours. The Brazil native rode on the PBR Brazil team in 2017 and 2018.
The rising star was competing in Round Two at the Professional Bull Riders' Velocity Tour event at the Save Mart Center when he was bucked off a bull just 5.31 seconds into the ride
He was thrown onto the ground and suffered chest injuries after the bull's hind legs landed on his chest. Competing bulls typically weigh between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds
Competing bulls typically weigh between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds, when they stomp on someone it can have devastating consequences
He started bull riding when he was 16 years old and was the one to watch this year after competing in the 2020 PBR World Finals. The Velocity Tour he was competing in this past weekend is just a step below PBR's top tour, the Unleash The Beast Series.
PBR said in a statement: 'Amadeu battled hard and was a rising star in our sport. Our heart breaks for his family and friends.'
'The entire PBR and western sports family extend our thoughts, prayers, and heartfelt condolences to Amadeu’s family and friends,' the PBR wrote in an Instagram post.
This is not the first time the dangerous sport has tragically resulted in a casualty.
In 2020 a member of the Oklahoma State University Rodeo Team died after being injured when he was bucked off a bull at the Palo Pinto County Livestock Association's PRCA Pro Rodeo.
Rowdy Swanson, 20, was riding a bull named Gritty before he sustained the fatal injuries.
One person who saw a video of the accident said Gritty the bull's rear legs seemed to come down on top of Swanson right after he hit the ground.
Silva (pictured riding last November) was taken to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno where he was pronounced dead
The PBR posted a statement on Instagram extending their 'thoughts, prayers and heartfelt condolences to Amadeu’s family and friends'
'With a heavy and aching heart, I am saddened to announce that the OSU Rodeo Team has lost one of our own,' Coach Cody Hollingsworth said in a statement about Rowdy Swanson.
'He was a big part of our rodeo family and he will be missed immensely. Our thoughts are with the Swanson family at this time,' he added.
One year before Mason Lowe, 25, died at the National Western Stock Show in Denver after a bull stomped on his chest during the competition.
Lowe, from Missouri, was wearing a mandate protective vest when he was bucked off his bull, named Hard Times, and the beast's back legs came down on his chest.
He was ranked 18th in the world and was able to stand for a moment before grabbing his chest and collapsing. He was taken to the hospital where he died.
Hard Times the bull continued competing in the circuit.
In 2020 Rowdy Swanson , 20, died after being injured when he was bucked off a bull at the Palo Pinto County Livestock Association's PRCA Pro Rodeo. Mason Lowe, 25, died in 2019 at the National Western Stock Show in Denver
The bull, named Hard Times , which killed rider Mason Lowe by stomping on his chest continued to perform in competitions
