DENVER — A bareback bronc rider was seriously injured Monday afternoon at a rodeo during the National Western Stock Show.
The rider, identified in multiple reports as 19-year-old Austin Broderson, was rushed to Denver Health after he was stomped by the horse he was riding.
Witnesses told 9NEWS that Broderson's hand got caught in the rigging and he wasn't able to free himself. He was knocked unconscious and bleeding heavily, according to witnesses.
The National Western Stock Show posted that Broderson was in serious condition.
"He was transported to Denver Health, a level-one trauma center, and is currently listed in serious condition, according to hospital representatives," the Stock Show posted. "He continues to receive medical care. We will continue to provide updates as we receive them from Denver Health."
Broderson was supported by medical staff on-site, including physicians out of the Justin Sports Medicine Team. Athletic trainer Chad Smidt said Broderson's situation required an all-hands-on-deck effort.
"There’s always that inherent risk with rodeo that every time somebody opens that shoot gate, something bad can happen," Smidt said. "For the most part, it doesn’t, but you have to be prepared for those times when it does happen."
Broderson's mother, Samantha, spoke with 9NEWS about her son's condition. She said he's working through internal bleeding, a damaged artery, a fractured hip, loss of muscle feeling and spinal bruises.
Despite all this, she said her son, Austin, is "miraculously doing as well as possible."
She said she was watching Austin perform live from her home in Canada on Monday. When he fell off the horse, she said she immediately got on the road for Denver.
She said her son has been responsive and strong but still in need of critical care. A GoFundMe for Austin's care costs raised nearly $20,000 in just six hours.
Samantha said she's thankful for the people who have shown her family love since the accident, as well as for the medical team who has been attending to her son's medical needs.
Those thanks extend to Smidt and the team in the stock show medical room.
Smidt said he isn't often part of situations that call for serious response and transportation. Most of his work is tending to everyday injuries.
"Bumps and bruises, muscle tears, strains, a little bit of everything," Smidt said. "We’re working with them, stretching them, doing some therapy to try and help them get through their next ride."
But he said he's always ready to step in when needed. Smidt said he's been in touch with Broderson's father about his condition.
He said knowing the young rider is doing alright — and that Broderson's family is appreciative of the care given to him by professionals — means everything to him.
"It’s very rewarding — that’s why we’re here, to help people," Smidt said. "So it doesn’t matter if it’s something minor or something very serious, we’re still going to do everything we can to help that athlete out."
Broderson is from Turin, Alberta, Canada, which is about an hour and a half north of the U.S. border with Montana. According to his Facebook page, Broderson attends Casper College in Wyoming and is a member of the school's rodeo team.
The Cowboy Channel featured Broderson in a segment in November.
In a couple of Facebook rodeo groups, members mentioned that they watched Broderson's horrifying ride on the Cowboy Channel. Many said they were praying for his recovery.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: National Western Stock Show
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