Freak rodeo accident leaves 20-year-old woman dead, Georgia officials say

A 20-year-old woman was killed in a freak accident at a rodeo in Georgia, officials say.

Breanna Chadwick, a Canton resident, died July 8 after a runaway horse broke through a cattle fence, pushing through a gate that hit Chadwick in the face, according to a Murray County Sheriff’s Office report.

Deputies say they were already on the scene providing security for the horse racing event at the Murray County Saddle Club when they were called to the front of the arena to respond to a call about a woman left bleeding and unconscious.

After she was hit, Chadwick was taken to Murray Medical, the report says. She was later airlifted to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she died.

“Lord Please Pray for my sister Breanna Chadwick. She has been in a horrible accident. We need all the prayers we can get for her,” Chadwick’s sister wrote in a Facebook post Friday.

Chadwick was a student at Reinhardt University where she was studying to become a third grade teacher, her obituary says.

“She loved all kids and they loved her. She touched so many lives and will continue for many years.”

The saddle club’s event continued throughout the weekend at the request of the Chadwick family, according to a Facebook post. The club hosted a candlelight vigil for the family and encouraged attendees to wear turquoise or teal in honor of Chadwick.

Funeral services for Chadwick were held July 13 at Hopewell Baptist Church in Ball Ground, Georgia.

Murray County is about 90 miles north of Atlanta.