17-year-old dies after being thrown by bull during rodeo practice in Cedar City

Diamond Z Arena's outdoor rodeo arena, site of a fatal bull-riding incident, Cedar City, Utah, March 4, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

CEDAR CITY — A 17-year-old boy died Friday after being bucked off a bull in Cedar City.

The incident reportedly happened late Friday afternoon at the Diamond Z outdoor rodeo arena at the Cross Hollow Event Center.

Cedar City Police Lt. Jimmy Roden said the teen sustained traumatic injuries after being thrown from the animal during a practice ride. 

“The bull reportedly charged him, striking him with a significant amount of force and causing his injuries,” Roden told Cedar City News on Wednesday morning.

Following the incident, which reportedly occurred around 4:45 p.m. Friday and was witnessed by several spectators, the injured boy was transported by ambulance to Cedar City Hospital where he later died.

“He reportedly went into cardiac arrest in transit to the hospital,” Roden said, adding that the boy was a resident of Iron County.

Undated photo of William Draper, the 17-year-old bull rider who died in Cedar City on March 4, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Draper family via GoFundMe, St. George News / Cedar City News

“It is an unfortunate, tragic accident and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the victim,” Roden added.

Although the teen’s name wasn’t officially released by Cedar City Police, KSL-TV identified him on Tuesday night as William Draper in an exclusive report that included on-camera interviews with family members and a link to a GoFundMe fundraising page.

As of Wednesday morning, the page has raised nearly $12,000 to go toward Draper’s funeral expenses.

Services were held Saturday, March 12 at Hughes Mortuary in St. George, with burial following in Colorado City, Arizona.

Updated March 14, 11 p.m. to including funeral and burial information. 

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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