A 25-year-old bull rider was hospitalized after being thrown from a bull and trampled during a rodeo Sunday evening in the Bronx, according to New York police.
Videos by FanBuzz
The incident occurred on Bruner Avenue in the Baychester neighborhood. Police said the rider was injured during the event and was transported to Jacobi Hospital, where he is recovering.
Video obtained by NBC New York showed the rider being thrown from the bull before the animal stepped on him. Other rodeo participants quickly intervened and distracted the bull as they worked to pull it away from the injured man.
Among those who responded was off-duty EMT Melanie Ayala, who said she rushed to assist after hearing the event announcer ask spectators to call 911.
Ayala told NBC New York she believed the event lacked an on-site medical professional and immediately began providing emergency care until first responders arrived.
She said the rider suffered injuries to his face (saying "the bull horn has penetrated his cheek") and was also stepped on by the bull during the incident.
Ayala also questioned whether organizers had adequate medical preparations in place for an event involving large animals, saying she was surprised emergency medical personnel were not already on site.
The rodeo resumed after the accident with music and other scheduled activities.
Witness Osvaldo Sanchez told NBC New York he feared the rider had been seriously injured after watching the incident unfold.
Police have not released the rider's identity. No additional information about his condition was immediately available.
