Two rodeo spectators who were injured when a bull leaped over a fence and charged into the stands at an Oregon rodeo are now seeking a combined $11.5 million in damages.
The lawsuits stem from a shocking June 8, 2024, incident at the Sisters Rodeo in Sisters, Oregon, when a bull named Party Bus cleared an arena fence and ran through the crowd.
Two injured spectators, Allison Hickey and Kristin Wert, later filed separate lawsuits, alleging rodeo organizers and contractors failed to properly protect fans from the bull’s escape.
According to court filings, Hickey is seeking up to $9,250,606.01 in damages from the Sisters Rodeo Association, Corey & Lange Rodeo Co., and Flying Diamond Rodeo LLC.
Hickey’s complaint alleges she was walking along a spectator pathway outside the arena fence when Party Bus suddenly jumped into the crowd, landed on top of her, knocked her to the ground, and crushed her right shoulder and right calf.
The lawsuit claims Hickey suffered a shoulder fracture that required surgery with a metal plate and multiple screws. She also allegedly suffered a crush injury to her leg, post-traumatic stress disorder, and permanent limitations in her shoulder.
The complaint says Hickey has already faced more than $107,000 in medical expenses and is expected to have additional future medical costs.
Hickey, who was 26 at the time and working as a physical therapist, also claims the injuries significantly affected her ability to work and damaged her future career prospects.
The lawsuit alleges the rodeo’s fences were already low enough for a bull to escape and that soil buildup had effectively made the fence even lower. The plaintiffs also claim Party Bus had “dangerous propensities abnormal to its class.”
Hickey further alleges the rodeo later profited from the terrifying incident after it gained national attention. According to the complaint, Sisters Rodeo sold merchandise showing Party Bus jumping the fence.
“What should have been a fun night was cut short when I was crushed by a bull,” Hickey said in a statement released through her attorney. “Instead of being met with compassion by The Sisters Rodeo, my trauma has been turned into profit.”
A second lawsuit filed by Kristin and Andrew Wert seeks about $2.3 million in damages, according to reports.
That complaint alleges Kristin Wert was struck from behind, thrown into the air, and trampled after Party Bus escaped the penned area.
Wert allegedly suffered injuries to her legs, arms, and shoulders. She also reportedly continues to experience migraines, dizziness, nausea, and emotional distress connected to a concussion.
Corey & Lange Rodeo Co., the livestock contractor that supplied Party Bus, has denied the allegations in a court filing, according to KGW. The company also argued that the Sisters Rodeo Association bears primary responsibility for any injuries and damages.
In a statement to The Oregonian, the Sisters Rodeo Association said it was aware of the lawsuits but disputed claims that rodeo animals were treated inhumanely.
“Sisters Rodeo Association and its contractors, volunteers and rodeo contestants take great care in the health and well-being of all rodeo livestock and in maintaining a safe environment to conduct and enjoy our rodeo,” the organization said.
The sold-out rodeo had about 5,500 spectators in attendance when the chaos unfolded. Many fans were reportedly singing along to Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.” when the bull escaped the arena.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
At the time, organizers said three spectators were injured and two were taken to a hospital. A responding sheriff’s deputy also suffered minor injuries.
Officials initially described the injuries as non-life-threatening. Fire officials later said the people who had been hospitalized had been released.
Days after the incident, Party Bus’ owner, Mike Corey, said the 3-year-old bull had been barred from future rodeo competition following the escape.
“He simply went and jumped out of the arena,” Corey said at the time. “It happens, and not very often, thank God.”
The lawsuits are now moving forward as the injured spectators seek damages over the frightening rodeo escape.
Discover more from True News Media
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.