A Texas community is in mourning following the death of an 18-year-old junior rodeo champion who died in an odd accident involving horses.

Ace Patton Ashford of Lott, Texas, was caring for a sick calf near Chilton on Monday, August 12, at around 8 a.m. local time, when a nearby horse became agitated, according to a representative for the Lott Volunteer Fire Department who spoke to CBS affiliate KWTX-TV.

“The horse [dragged] the man a good distance in an open field after his leg became tangled,” the Lott VFD official told KWTX.Despite having suffered severe head injuries, Ashford had a pulse and was still breathing when help arrived.

The recent high school graduate died after being airlifted to Baylor Scott & White Hospital, according to his obituary.