Cowboy fighting back after crash
IT’S Angus Rigney’s fighting sense of spirit which his mates know him for.
And it’s that spirit which they are relying on to pull him through his darkest hours and his toughest fight yet.
In the early hours of Monday, Angus Rigney was travelling home from the Paradise Lagoons campdraft when he was involved in a single- vehicle accident leaving him in a critical condition.
The crash occurred on the D’Aguilar Hwy at Gilla, between Blackbutt and Yarraman, some time between 2am and 3am.
Angus, who has undergone surgery, will remain in an induced coma for the next couple of days at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, with doctors keeping a very close eye on his condition.
According to family friend Sophie Weeden, who has set up a GoFundMe page to help with medical costs, Angus has done it all when it comes to working on the land, including a stint in the Northern Territory.
Until his crash, the 21-year-old had been working for a feedlot at Gatton.
Sophie said Angus had been in the “rodeo family” for as long as she could remember.
“He’s a part of the rodeo family and I’m sure many people can back me up on that. It wouldn’t be a rodeo without the ‘big rig’ as some call him,” she said.
“I’ve known Angus for six years and no matter what setback he has, he always comes back stronger.
“When I first met Angus he was into the bull riding side of things, but as he’s grown up and continued to rodeo, he now has taken a love to the rodeo sport they call saddle bronc riding.
“Angus trains with a fellow family friend, Ken Read, and attends every saddle bronc school possible to better himself.”
Hailing from Nindigully, a tiny town near St George in Queensland, Angus is known as one of those people who will give mates a helping hand at any time, even if he’s struggling.
“He will do everything in his power to look after you and keep you safe and happy,” Sophie said.
“Angus has been a part of my family for six years now and I class him as a big brother. He has always looked out for me and his mates, so I’ve made the GoFundMe so we can do something in return for him in a time of need.
“He’s really got one of those bright smiles that is contagious and you’ll never forget. He loves life and lives it to the fullest every day.”
Sophie said the GoFundMe page was strictly for medical bills along with necessities like rental assistance and care for his beloved animals.
“Our starting goal is to reach $3000 but if we can get past that it would mean a lot to him, myself and his family,” she said.
“Like all of us, Angus has living expenses that still need to be paid, along with constantly growing medical bills.
“The rodeo family is also putting together some raffles to help out with family expenses as well, as it can be costly for the family.
“We are taking all points into consideration and hoping Angus gets the best treatment possible.
“We ask that everyone gets behind him and shows their support his family.”