THE man who was crushed by a bull on Saturday night told the Central Western Daily two weeks ago the only thing he was afraid of was getting slammed against the chute by the massive animal.
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Forest Reefs bull rider John Crasti, 19, was pinned underneath a 680-kilogram bull while it struggled to escape from the chute.
He suffered suspected head, neck and spinal injuries and is in a stable condition in Royal North Shore Hospital.
Mr Crasti had mounted the bull in the chute when it reared and fell back, landing on top of the young man. The bull frantically tried to free itself while Mr Crasti was crushed underneath.
East to West Coast Rodeo Championship president Allen Wilson said the bull slammed Mr Crasti up against the chute.
“He copped the full weight of the bull on him,” he said.
“The bull was wriggling around and rolling around and trapped him.”
When Mr Crasti spoke to the Central Western Daily two weeks ago about his passion for bull riding, he said he wasn’t worried about getting hurt.
“I generally try not to think about what might happen. If you go in worried about getting hurt then you’ll get hurt,” he said.
“You never know what a bull is going to do.”
Mr Crasti told the Central Western Daily the most nerve-racking part of the bull ride is the moments before the gate is opened on the chute. He said the experience was daunting because it’s possible to be pinned up against the walls.
“Particularly if you’ve got a big bull like about a tonne your legs get slammed up against the sides and you can’t move,” he said.
“You’ve got no hope in hell of staying on then.
“You just have to hope you get out and it doesn’t stomp on you”
Mr Crasti said he had not previously been injured too badly. He received a few stitches for an injury to his leg when a bull stomped on him.
For the young Forest Reefs man nothing compares to bull riding.
There was an outpouring of support on Mr Crasti’s Facebook page. About 30 people posted comments hoping for a speedy recovery after someone posted he was in surgery on Sunday afternoon.
His mother Allison posted on his page thanking people for their thoughts.
“Hi all, John’s mum Allison, just wanted to say thanks so much for your messages of support for him and the family it is greatly appreciated keep ’em coming.”
St John Ambulance officers treated him on the scene at the Orange Showground before paramedics arrived. He was then transferred to Orange hospital in a serious condition. He was flown to Royal North Shore Hospital.
His father John Crasti said his son was recovering well and would release more information at a later date.
“It’s the best eight seconds of your life,” Mr Crasti described how he felt about bull riding.
