“Went Out Doing Something He Loved”: 18-Year-Old Graduate, Set to Conquer the Dangers of Bull Riding, Suffered a Saddening Fate Once

The rodeo is a beloved tradition in Western Canada, bringing together cowboys and cowgirls from all over the region to compete in various events. However, it can also be a dangerous sport, and accidents can happen. One such accident occurred at the Canoe Mountain Rodeo in Valemount, British Columbia in 2010 when Makwala Derickson-Hall was severely injured by a bull.

The 18-year-old was considered one of the rising stars of the thrilling sport, however, an unexpected series of events gave a tragic halt to his run. 

 A tragic end to a promising talent

In July 2010, Makwala was participating in the bull-riding event at the Canoe Mountain Rodeo in Valemount, British Columbia. He was riding a formidable bull known for its strength and aggression. Makwala was determined to ride the bull to the best of his ability, but unfortunately, he was thrown off the animal and landed on his head.

The impact was severe, and Makwala was left unconscious and bleeding heavily. Medical personnel rushed to his aid, and he was airlifted to a hospital in Kamloops, British Columbia. However, his injuries were too severe, and he passed away the following day. 

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Makwala had been a rising star in the rodeo world, and his untimely death was a devastating loss. His family, friends, and fellow rodeo competitors were left heartbroken by the tragedy. “He knew what dangers he was getting into, but he loved doing it,” his friend Zac Kingswood told the CTV News. Makwala was an inspiration to many young people in his community, and his death was a profound loss for all who knew him. However, this wasn’t the last tragedy that shocked the entire community. 

A similar bull riding accident almost took rodeo’s life

Robinson a professional rodeo experienced the worst eight seconds of his life during the PBR 2012 event at Madison Square Garden. The 28-year-old rider was shown in the video getting ready to ride a wild bull in the muck. When the gates opened, Robinson mounted the bull as it charged out. As the bull tried to push off the rider, unable to continue, he crashed face-first into the dirt. In the event, Robinson fractured both of his legs and suffered spinal damage.

All these accidents raised questions about the safety of rodeo events and the treatment of animals used in these events. While many rodeo organizations have taken steps to ensure the safety of both human and animal participants, accidents still occur, and the risk of injury or death is always present.

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