Chaos at Sisters Rodeo
Four people were hospitalized after a bull escaped at an Oregon rodeo on Saturday night. The incident occurred at the 84th Sisters Rodeo in the city of Sisters, about 22 miles north of Bend. The bull, named Party Bus, charged into patrons outside the arena after jumping an arena barrier.
Bull Charges Rodeo Patrons
A video verified by NBC News showed a rodeo-goer being charged and flipped by Party Bus. The Sisters Rodeo Association explained that the bull leaped over the arena barrier and ran through the rodeo grounds before being contained by livestock professionals in holding pens. “A rodeo bucking bull jumped a fence and ran through the rodeo grounds before being secured by our rodeo pickup men and arena staff by the back livestock pens,” stated the association.
Emergency Response and Injuries
The arena announcer immediately called for an emergency response. Three of the injured were transported to hospitals by ambulance, and one was taken in a sheriff’s cruiser, according to Lt. Jayson Janes of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. “It was contained pretty quickly,” said Janes. Organizers noted that one of the four injured might have been hurt as patrons tried to flee from the bull. Two of the injured were released from medical care on Saturday night, and all injured persons are now home.
Event Continues Despite Incident
The Sisters Rodeo Association stated that such a bull escape has never occurred since their first event in 1940. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association credited the swift and professional response of the arena pickup men, rodeo staff, and local first responders for preventing a worse situation. The bull, Party Bus, was checked by veterinarians and is believed to be unharmed. Despite the incident, the five-day annual Sisters Rodeo competition proceeded with its scheduled events on Sunday.
