Teen Rodeo Rider Trampled To Death By Horse During New Jersey Performance
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Tragedy struck in Pilesgrove, NJ at the Cowtown Rodeo's opening night on Saturday. With thousands of spectators in the crowd, bareback bronco rider Coy Lutz, 19, died from injuries he suffered after he was trampled by his horse.
Cowtown Rodeo owner Grant Harris said Lutz was on the horse when it left the shoot. It bucked the teen off and accidentally stepped on him. Harris declined an on-camera interview with CBS3, but the Cowtown Rodeo posted a statement to its Facebook page:
"Cowtown Rodeo and the Harris family extend our heartfelt and sincere condolences to the Lutz family for the tragic loss of their son, Coy. During this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with all who knew and loved him."
"I've been rodeoing since about the 8th grade," said Coy Lutz, in a video profile posted on YouTube by the University of Tennessee at Martin's rodeo team.
Lutz, a freshman from Howard, Pa, near State College, was a member of the rodeo team and was a criminal justice major, according to the school. But he had dreams of pursuing rodeo professionally after graduation.
"One of my favorite memories from UTM is just going to rodeos and having fun," he said in the video.
UT-Martin's head coach John Luthi also released a statement through the University:
"Coy was just an outstanding kid who had a real bright future," Luthi said. "He was a good student and he came from a great family. Even though he was only here for one year, his impact will always be felt here at UT Martin. He was a super human being who always took care of his business. It's hard to imagine why something like this had to happen but we have faith that God is in control."
Harris said Lutz's death was the first in 62 seasons for the Cowtown Rodeo.
