Rancher, 74, gored by bull

By Chris Paschenko
The Daily News
Published February 1, 2011

GALVESTON — A rancher was injured Monday when a bull he raised turned on him, a fire official said.

Firefighters and an ambulance crew were called at 12:36 p.m. to the 19500 block of FM 3005 in Galveston to help the injured man, who is 74.

“He’d been around that bull since the bull was a calf,” Galveston Fire Chief Jeff Smith said. “Today, the bull just changed his mind.”

Smith didn’t know the rancher’s name but said the man was gored under the arm and thrown about a bit.

“His wife was there and got him into the truck from where he was gored in the field,” Smith said.

Firefighters assisted the ambulance crew. The ambulance crew took the man to the University of Texas Medical Branch, Kurt Koopmann, spokesman for the Galveston County Health District, said.

The rancher was stable before the ambulance ride to the hospital, Smith said.

“He was in good spirits,” Smith said. “He was joking around a little bit that the bull was his pup. Today, the bull had a little bit of a temper.”

The rancher’s injury didn’t appear to be life-threatening.

“It sounds like he will be OK,” Smith said. “He’s a pretty tough guy. His wife is even tougher. She got him into the truck and to the road.”

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(News Media: For more information contact Kurt Koopmann, GCHD Public Information Officer, 409-938-2211 or kkoopman@gchd.org)