A brave rodeo performer in Florida narrowly escaped death when the bull he was riding impaled him in the neck while being thrown off the animal’s back.
Zachary Naegele, a 24-year-old rider, was taking part in the Conley Invitational event in Palmetto, Florida, last week when the bull’s horn pierced his jugular vein, resulting in a chilling moment captured on camera as blood started gushing out.
Quick-witted first responders promptly attended to the daring rider, applying pressure to his neck before rushing him to the hospital for surgery. According to Naegele, he lost over two gallons of blood during the frightening incident on February 7.
Zachary Naegele had a close brush with death when the bull he was riding gored him in the neck while being bucked off the beast’s back. (Zachary Naegele via Storyful)
Naegele craftily rides the bull for a few seconds as the angry beast spins, twists and kicks. He eventually loses his balance and as he falls off the bull, it nicks his neck with its left horn.
Initially, it doesn’t appear that Naegele is injured as he crashes to the ground and hits one of the bullfighters.
As he walks away, he can then be seen putting his hands on his neck in a state of panic.
Then, the medics rushed to his aid and provided lifesaving treatment.
“In my 50 years of experience in public safety, this was likely one of the most immediate lifesaving events I have seen in my career,” Deputy Chief Steve Litschauer told Fox 13.
“He had a lot of people rooting for him that night for several reasons. A lot of people were in the right place at the right time,” said Pollock.
Naegele, seen holding his neck, left, and being flung from the bull, right. (Zachary Naegele via Storyful)
Bull riding is unpredictable and riveting but laden with dangers for competitors. It’s been dubbed “the most dangerous eight seconds in sports.” Riders wear protective gear like helmets and body armor, but their necks are exposed as they get flung from the bulls, which can weigh anywhere from 1,200 to 2,000 pounds.
Naegele, in a GoFundMe he created to help with his medical bills, described the incident as a “freak accident.” He said he lost over two gallons of blood and suffered nerve damage.
He went into surgery after arriving at the hospital and returned home to Louisiana a few days later, according to Fox 13.
He thanked all the medical staff who helped him and said the experience has not dampened his desire to continue competing in the high-risk sport.
“Whenever I get on, I always know it could be my last time, but you never really think about it when you’re there,” he told Fox 13.
