Inspector was assaulted at rodeo where bullrider bit it. Surprise.

October 15, 2008

Rodeo man's fatal last ride14/10/2008 08:19 - (SA)

Rodeo rider dies in North West

Susan Cilliers, Beeld

Johannesburg - He thought the bull had merely knocked out his wind when it stepped on him. But 23-year-old Sarel Geels's liver had been seriously injured - and he died a day later.

Sarel, a plumber from Klerksdorp who would have celebrated his first wedding anniversary later this month, was the victim of a fatal freak accident at the Stella Beesfees in North West on Saturday.

He was participating in a rodeo event when he was thrown from the bull. In trying to get away, the animal stepped on Sarel's body with both hind legs.

"He thought he had merely been winded, but it was so painful that he fainted. He was bleeding internally - half his liver had virtually been destroyed," Sarel's father, Rein, said on Monday. He and other family members had witnessed the incident.

A doctor attending the festival immediately attended to Sarel. "Our ambulance crew had been on standby and was on the scene very quickly," said festival spokesperson Maryna Bester on Monday.

He was first taken to a hospital in Vryburg, but was then transferred to the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein.

'We are not blaming anyone'

"The doctors struggled to stop the internal bleeding and my son died after a second operation when a blood clot passed through his heart. We are not blaming anyone; it was an accident," Rein Geels said.

"Sarel was a cheerful, spontaneous person and a great sports enthusiast." The National Council of SPCAs accused the organisers of conducting the rodeo unprofessionally. It also said the animals had been kicked and that safety measures had been inadequate.

The NSPCA is in principle opposed to the sport and had sent observers to the festival in Stella.

Bester said this was the 25th year in which the rodeo was held, but was the first time someone was injured.

"Participants sign an indemnity form beforehand. The animals are not maltreated at all - people simply get on and try to ride."

The NSPCA stopped the rodeo when Sarel was injured. The NSPCA also said one of their inspectors was assaulted and that they have instituted legal proceedings for the alleged assault.

Bester denied the charge.

"He (the inspector) sat in the beer tent all day, stepped into a hole and fell."

- Beeld