Horror moment rodeo rider almost bleeds to death when bull gores him in the neck
WARNING GRAPHIC: Zachary Naegele 'didn't think he was going to make it' after he was impaled in a horror accident at a bull riding competition - one video shows the moment the animal turned on him
WARNING GRAPHIC: Zachary Naegele 'didn't think he was going to make it' after he was impaled in a horror accident at a bull riding competition - one video shows the moment the animal turned on himVideo Loading
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Rodeo rider almost bleeds to death after being impaled by bull horn
Shocking footage shows the moment a professional rodeo rider was impaled in the neck by a bull in front of hundreds of horrified spectators.
Zachary Naegele had driven 11 hours from his home in Amity in Louisiana, US, to compete in the Conley Invitation Bull Riding competition in Palmetto, Florida, on February 7. But moments after the 24-year-old entered the arena on his chosen bull, he claims the animal 'busted' him off. As he fell he was pushed onto the bull's horns, puncturing a hole through his neck and carotid artery.
Photos show the bull's horn wedged three inches (7.6cm) deep in Zachary's neck as he tumbles off its back. Bulls' horns are usually blunted to reduce the chance of riders getting gored in competitions, making his injuries particularly unusual.
Zachary Naegele, from Amite in Louisiana, US, was impaled by a bull after being thrown off during a rodeo (
Image:
Billy D Photography/Kennedy News)
At first, Zachary thought the bull had only scratched his face - but he realised something more serious had happened when his neck started to pump out blood. Zachary was rushed to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in in Bradenton, Florida, where he underwent emergency surgery.
Zachary, who claims he felt himself 'slowly dying' in the hours that followed, says surprised doctors there told him he 'shouldn't have survived his injury' because of the amount of blood he lost.
But he has since made a remarkable recovery and is now able to walk, talk and eat on his own after being discharged from hospital. The bull rider is even hoping to make a return to the rodeo arena soon.
The impact pierced a hole through his neck and carotid artery (
Image:
Billy D Photography/Kennedy News)
Mr Naegele was rushed to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in in Bradenton, Florida, where he underwent emergency surgery (
Image:
Kennedy News and Media)
Zachary, from Amite, Louisiana, said: "That night I drew a bull that I knew and I had seen before. I was actually very happy to draw him but it ended up being this freak accident. The bull ended up busting me off but when he [did] his horn ended up puncturing through my neck under my jaw and going into my neck about three inches.
"At first I didn't know it impaled me in the neck. I saw the blood when I ran away and as soon as I got behind the chute I grabbed my chin because I thought the bull had busted my chin or jaw. But when I grabbed my jaw, the blood was still pouring out. If you've ever taken a syringe full of water and squirted it, that's how it looked coming out of my neck.
"It was a scary moment to see that much blood coming out. When I came off the bull it hit me so hard that his horn went directly in and out. During the 20-minute ride to the hospital, I felt myself slowly losing breath and going in and out and slowly dying.
Doctors reportedly told him he was lucky to survive, as he had lost so much blood (
Image:
Kennedy News and Media)
"When I was in the ambulance, I lost so much blood. The first thing I lost was my eyesight and my vision went black. All I could do was listen at the moment in time. I could hear the ENT telling me to keep breathing and to not give up.
"Right before I got to the hospital, I felt myself taking my last breath and I blacked out. I got put on the table [in hospital] and I could hear everybody yelling. I remember them saying they couldn't feel a pulse in my neck or arm anymore but could feel a pulse in my foot so they kept trying. I lost so much blood, I thought I wasn't going to make it."
After his condition stabilised, Zachary underwent surgery to have his carotid artery rebuilt and nerves in his neck reattached.Zachary, who has been riding bulls for nearly a decade, said he was surprised to wake up afterwards as he didn't think he was "going to make it". "The doctor told me that I should not be alive and that I'm blessed to be", he said.
He is now hoping to return to the ring after his recovery (
Image:
Kennedy News and Media)
A Gofundme page has been set up to help Zachary afford his medical bills and recovery journey, as he says bull riding is his main source of income. He has so far raised $4,655 (£3,700) of a $15,000 (£12,000) goal. Despite his life-threatening injury, he wants to return to the rodeo arena to chase his dream of becoming a member of the Oklahoma Wildcats, a Professional Bull Riders team.
Reflecting on life since the "freak" bull accident, Zachary said: "Currently I am back at my home. I am able to walk on my own and eat soft food and drink on my own. I am very shocked at myself that I am making a recovery this fast. Within a few months I plan on getting back [into bull riding] and chasing my dream. This hasn't put me off being a rodeo athlete, bull riding is my main source of income.
"There is always going to be that nervous side to it after an injury. An injury to this extent is very rare now especially because we wear helmets and vests and we even clip the bulls' horns so they are flat. This was a freak accident. It's a miracle that I'm alive. If it wasn't for God, I wouldn't be here today."