Four people were hospitalized after a bull escaped from an Oregon rodeo arena and attacked patrons outside, authorities said Sunday.
Video verified by NBC News showed a rodeo attendee being attacked and knocked down by the mammal called Party Bus. The Sisters Rodeo Association said the bull jumped an arena barrier, charged into the rodeo grounds and ran into the corrals, where professionals of livestock contained it.
The arena announcer immediately called for an emergency response, he said.
“A rodeo bull jumped a fence and ran across the rodeo grounds before being secured by our rodeo catchers and arena staff in the back pens,” Sisters Rodeo said in a statement.
Video from the scene shows that Saturday’s incident at the 84th Sisters Rodeo in the town of Sisters, about 22 miles north of Bend, occurred just before the final ride of the night was scheduled to take place.
A sold-out crowd sang “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood.
Two of the injured were released from medical care Saturday night, Sisters Rodeo said.
“We are grateful to know that all injured people are now home,” he said in a separate statement on Sunday.
Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Jayson Janes said three of the injured were taken to hospitals by ambulance and one was taken in a sheriff’s cruiser.
The lieutenant and organizers indicated that one of the four may have been injured as patrons attempted to flee the bull. Some of the injuries were minor, Janes said.
Sheriff’s deputies assigned to the event and private security responded to the breach, the lieutenant said. “It was contained very quickly,” Janes said.
Organizers said it was the first time anyone could remember a rape of this type happening since the first event in Sisters in 1940.
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association credited arena pickups for quickly containing the animal.
“We are grateful for the quick and professional response of our arena pickups, rodeo staff and local first responders, who were able to prevent the situation from worsening,” he said in a statement.
Party Bus, the bull in question, competed in the Sisters Rodeo Xtreme Bull Riding event on Wednesday and tied for third place in the first round, according to information from the PRCA.
The bull’s contractor, Corey & Lange Rodeo of Moses Lake, Washington, could not be reached for comment. Organizers of Saturday’s event said the bull was examined by veterinarians and is believed to be unharmed.
Janes said Saturday’s event was sold out, with a few hundred people in attendance.
The annual five-day Sisters Rodeo competition has moved forward with events scheduled for Sunday, organizers said.
Emma Li It is Rebecca Cohen contributed.
This story originally appeared on NBCNews.com read the full story
