NSW man dies after being hit by bull at New Year’s Eve rodeo in southern Queensland

A novice bullrider has died from his injuries in hospital after falling from a bull at a rodeo event in southern Queensland on New Year’s Eve.

The 25-year-old New South Wales man was thrown from the animal and then struck by it at about 8pm during the novice bull ride event at the New Year’s Eve Rodeo at Warwick Showgrounds.

“He was riding the bull, came off and the bull landed on him,” witness Melanie Jai wrote in a Facebook post.

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Paramedics treated the man at the scene, with revellers told the family fireworks would be delayed due to “a serious arena incident” in a post by the Warwick Show and Rodeo Society on Facebook.

The man was rushed to hospital in a critical condition after suffering “serious chest injuries”, Queensland Ambulance Service said.

Police said the man later died of his injuries.

The Warwick Show and Rodeo Society has extended its “deepest condolences” to the man’s family and friends, saying it will hold a fundraiser for them.

“The Warwick Show and Rodeo Society will be ‘Passing the Hat Around’ today at our National Rodeo Association Junior Rodeo to assist in any way we can financially for the family with funeral arrangements, and where possible, any long-term care for the family,” the organisation said in a Facebook post on Sunday morning.

“Please understand that this is a very difficult time for the family, the Society, the National Rodeo Association, and his fellow competitors, so we request that the privacy of the family is upheld at this difficult time.”

A report will be prepared for the coroner.