ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, March 2, 1997 TAG: 9703030081
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETTY HAYDEN SNIDER STAFF WRITER
For the second time in little more than a year, a man has died after being thrown by a bull at a Bedford County farm.
Ronald E. Phillipe, 28, of Moneta died Friday after his fall at a Boonsboro farm now called North Wind Stables.
Phillipe was thrown about 10 p.m. and briefly remained on the ground, Lt. John McCane of the Sheriff's Office said. The man got up and told rescue workers he'd just had the wind knocked out of him.
Twenty minutes later, Phillipe said he was going outside for some air. He made it outside, then collapsed.
He remained conscious during the rescue squad ride to the hospital, McCane said, but he died at 10:50 p.m.
A medical examiner said the cause of death appeared to be blunt trauma to the chest, probably from the bull stomping him.
Jason Smallwood, 23, of Staunton died Feb. 3, 1996, during a rodeo at what was then called Hunting Wood Farms. It was Smallwood's first bull ride, though he had practiced on a mechanical bucking barrel.
The farm was sold after Smallwood's death, and the new owners have different rules for riders, McCane said. Each rider must wear a protective vest, must have previous bull riding experience and must belong to a bull riding association. Rescue crews are always on standby.
Another man was taken to Lynchburg General Hospital earlier in the evening with minor facial cuts after he was thrown by a bull, McCane said.
Phillipe was wearing a vest, which might have prevented a bruise from appearing on his chest, McCane said.
LENGTH: Short : 39 lines KEYWORDS: FATALITYby CNB