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A young cowboy tragically killed after being thrown by a bull while racing has been remembered as one of the most down-to-earth and honest people in his community.
Hue Mills, 25, from Atholwood in northern New South Wales, traveled 180km interstate to compete in the novice bull ride at the Warwick New Year’s Eve Rodeo on Saturday night.
It is understood that he was “rejected” several seconds after entering the arena before being crushed by the bull’s hind legs as he lay on the ground as hundreds of shocked onlookers looked on in horror.
Mr. Mills sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Warwick Hospital where he later died.
He leaves behind a wife and a young son.
Hue Mills (pictured right) tragically died while competing in the Warwick New Year’s Eve Rodeo
The National Rodeo Association paid tribute as more details emerged about what was described as a tragic accident.
NRA President Jason Hall was calling the event at the time.
“The competitor went off halfway, the bull’s legs landed on his back,” he said. the courier mail.
It seemed no more serious than anything that happens every week.
Mills was wearing a helmet and protective vest at the time.
“But obviously they’re to help limit any injury, obviously they can’t stop everything from happening,” Hall said.
‘It was an unfortunate accident. Bull riding is a dangerous sport and everyone who competes knows that there is always a chance.’
Devastated friends have written heartbreaking tributes to Mr. Mills.
“Such a shocking tragedy for one of the nicest, humblest, kindest, most respectable people I’ve ever met…his down-to-earth personality was one you couldn’t help but admire and strive to become a better person after meeting him.” ‘ wrote one man.
Another added: ‘RIP old son you were always a savage it was great knowing you for the short time I did.
Cowboy Hue Mills (pictured) of northern New South Wales was ‘snatched’ by the bull before being crushed under the animal’s hind legs.
Heartbreaking photos of the tragedy show an ambulance in the middle of the arena being attended by locals.
The released footage and photos showed the shocked crowd watching as paramedics treated Mills from behind a white shield before loading him into an ambulance.
Another video showed one of the ambulances in the middle of the arena towed by a tractor and pushed by up to a dozen locals.
“One of the saddest things I’ve ever witnessed,” a viewer later posted.
Another woman added: “As the DJ of this event, I am deeply saddened…my condolences to his family…I want to thank all the volunteers and paramedics who went above and beyond for this young cowboy.”
Mills’ death rocked not only the rodeo industry, but also the Warwick union in Queensland’s Southern Downs region.
Devastated event organizers announced plans to support the cowboy’s grieving family at a youth rodeo held Sunday.
A colleague described Hue Mills (pictured) as one of the most down-to-earth and honest people you could meet.
“In an effort to support the family, the Warwick Show and Rodeo Society will be ‘Passing the Hat’ today at our National Rodeo Association Junior Rodeo to help in any way we can financially help the family with funeral arrangements, and wherever. possible, any long-term care for the family’, the organizers published.
“Please understand that this is a very difficult time for the family, the Society, the National Rodeo Association and fellow competitors, so we request that the family’s privacy be maintained at this difficult time.”
Chairman John Maher later added: ‘We want to offer our condolences to his family, friends and fellow cyclists.
“A man who loses his life doing the sport he loves is a great tragedy.”
The New Year’s Eve event is one of the biggest of the year for the Warwick Show and Rodeo Society.
The family fireworks were scheduled for 8:30pm but were delayed due to the ‘serious incident in the arena’.
Multiple ambulance crews were called to the fairgrounds to treat a seriously injured Hue Mills
The tragedy was witnessed by hundreds of rodeo spectators in the crowd (pictured)