A 14-year-old boy died after riding a bull at a rodeo for the first time in his life and went into cardiac arrest, authorities and his family said.
The cyclist, identified on Facebook as bradshaw jean by event organizers, died after riding a bull at the Rafter K. Rodeo Winter Series at American Legion Post 290 in King, North Carolina, on Saturday, authorities said.
His sister wrote on a GoFundMe page for his funeral expenses that he was the first bull he had ever ridden in a rodeo.
Emergency personnel responded to a cardiac arrest call around 8:24 p.m. local time, Stokes County Emergency Services Director Brandon Gentry said. NBC WRAL affiliate. Bradshaw was riding a bull when he went into cardiac arrest and later died at the hospital, Gentry said.
It was not clear what sparked the child’s health emergency.
“This is a tragic event and words cannot describe the pain felt by this loss,” Rafter K. Rodeo Company wrote on Facebook.
Bradshaw’s mother, Shannon Bowman, shared her heartbreak in a facebook post on January 29.
«Last night was the longest night of my life!!» she wrote. “My beautiful and handsome 14 year old son had gone to be with the lord! I woke up in a nightmare for the rest of my life!
“I hate myself for this call, but he loved every second of it. I never saw him as happy as I saw him last night before his departure.
«Denim baby, you did it!» She continued. «You did that!! I am so proud of your bravery and your courage! My little cowboy, I will love and miss you very much and I know God will take care of you.»
A GoFundMe page that appears to have been set up by his sister, Persephone Bowman, shared more details about his life, including his dream of becoming a police officer.
“Denim ventured into the world of bull riding and fell in love. The boots, the cowboy hats and those big belt buckles, she loved it all,” his sister wrote.
“He rode his first bull on January 28 and his excitement was palpable. None of us could believe that this first trip would result in his death, and we are beyond devastated. Our sweet 14-year-old boy lost his life during what was the most exciting time of his short life, and now we are lost without him.»