Rider stepped on by bull suffered severe injuries, faces another surgery

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Rider stepped on by bull suffered severe injuries, faces another surgery

Jack Nowlin and Joshua Wolfson Star-Tribune staff writers Jun 16, 2017 Updated 45 min ago

Bull rider Bradie Gray suffered life threatening injuries when a bull stepped on him Thursday at the College National Finals Rodeo and he arrived at the hospital with no heartbeat, his coach said.

When Gray arrived at the Wyoming Medical Center both of his lungs were collapsed, he had broken ribs “in two or three places,” and a bruised aorta, said Odessa College rodeo coach C.J. Aragon said. ... Doctors were able to treat injuries to Gray’s aorta and stabilize him. He required six pints of blood.

“He’s not doing real good,” Odessa College rodeo coach C.J. Aragon said. “When he got to the hospital last night he had no pulse, no heartbeat and no blood pressure. One of the doctors told me last night that there was a 60 percent chance that he wasn’t going to come out (of the hospital) alive.” ... Gray underwent emergency surgery at Wyoming Medical Center, the Odessa College Rodeo Team wrote on its Facebook page shortly before 4 a.m. Friday.
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The 5-foot-9 Gray has suffered numerous significant injuries during his college rodeo career. He broke his back his first season, broke his jaw twice during his sophomore season and tore his groin in half and broke his collarbone this season. This college finals was his first rodeo since having surgery on his collarbone six weeks ago. All the injuries came from bull riding.
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Star-Tribune staff writer Brandon Foster contributed to this report.

Follow sports editor Jack Nowlin on Twitter @CASJackN

Jack Nowlin is sports editor of the Star-Tribune.

[Skittles]

1. Why do they torment these animals

Seriously: why?

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. Injured CNFR bull rider breathing on his own and able to communicate

Injured CNFR bull rider breathing on his own and able to communicate

Jack Nowlin 307-266-0528 [e-mail] Jun 19, 2017 Updated 42 min ago

Odessa College bull rider Bradie Gray’s condition continues to improve.

Gray, who was critically injured after being stepped on by a bull during Thursday night’s performance of the College National Finals Rodeo, is now breathing on his own and is able to communicate to some degree with doctors and family members.

“He continues to make small improvements,” Odessa College rodeo coach CJ Aragon said in a text message early Sunday.
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Follow sports editor Jack Nowlin on Twitter @CASJackN

Jack Nowlin is sports editor of the Star-Tribune.

https://twitter.com/collegerodeo

[mahatmakanejeeves]

3. Bull rider Bradie Gray off life support, takes first steps since injury

Bull rider Bradie Gray off life support, takes first steps since injury
Star-Tribune staff 2 hrs ago

Bull rider Bradie Gray, who was injured June 15 at the College National Finals Rodeo when a bull stepped on him, is continuing to show improvement.

Gray was critically injured when the bull, Harry Vold's Levi the Boss, stepped on his sternum after bucking off Gray. The Odessa College cowboy suffered broken ribs, collapsed lungs and a tear in his aorta. Emergency personnel rushed Gray to Wyoming Medical Center.

The Odessa College Rodeo Team posted on its Facebook page that Gray had been taken off a ventilator over the weekend. In addition, Gray was able to sit in a chair for an hour at a time and had even taken some steps. ... Mick Gray, Bradie's father, added that "he is still very week (sic) but they are happy with his progress considering the injuries he sustained."

A GoFundMe Page to help offset the cost of Gray's medical costs and help pay for his parents' stay -- the Grays are here from Australia -- has raised more than $25,000. Those wishing to donate can do so at www.gofundme.com/bradie-gray-recovery-fund.