Professional bull rider Amadeu Campos Silva died on Sunday from injuries sustained at a bull-riding event in Fresno, California.
He was 22 years old.
The Professional Bull Riders announced the news late Sunday, attributing his death to a “terrible wreck” during competition on the organization’s Velocity Tour. He was transported from the Save Mart Center to Fresno’s Community Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
“Amadeu was a rising star in our sport; a cowboy with so much potential on and off the dirt,” PBR’s statement reads. “The entire PBR and western sports family extend our thoughts, prayers, and heartfelt condolences to Amadeu’s family and friends.”
The Fresno County Coroner’s office confirmed Silva’s death to the Fresno Bee, but did not provide details on the cause. PBR officials told USA Today that Silva died of chest injuries after being bucked off a bull. PBR livestock director Cody Lambert witnessed the incident and described it to USA Today.
“When he came off, his spur got tangled up and it turned him upside down right under the bull’s back leg,’’ Lambert said. “It’s just a really freak, tragic accident.’’
PBR spokesman Andrew Giangola told USA Today that the incident “was not an act of aggression” from the bull, but a “freak accident.”
A native of Brazil, Silva moved to the United States in 2018 after competing in PBR Brazil in 2017. In 2019, he made his debut on the Velocity Tour, which features up-and-coming PBR bull riders. He competed in the PBR World Finals in 2020.
