What a tragedy! The whole country is mourning the passing away.

Ace Patton Ashford, an 18-year-old rodeo roper,

tragically passed away on August 12 after a freak accident near Chilton, Texas .

While helping a sick cow, Ashford’s leg got caught,

causing him to be dragged by a frightened horse across an open field.

Though he was found with head injuries and was alive when first responders arrived,