Hailey
Bradley McMichael, a 47-year-old lifelong farmer from Jones, Oklahoma, tragically lost his life on Friday after being fatally attacked by two water buffaloes on his family-owned property.
The incident occurred less than 24 hours after the animals were purchased at a local livestock auction.
McMichael was discovered in a livestock pen on McMichael Farms, a property that has been in his family for three generations.
The rural farm, located northeast of Oklahoma City, has long been a site of agricultural tradition and dedication.
A Lifelong Passion for Farming
According to Jennifer Green, McMichael’s 44-year-old fiancée, farming was not just a profession but a lifelong passion for him.
She described Bradley as a seasoned agriculturalist who began working with livestock as a teenager and remained deeply committed to the welfare of his animals.
“Farming was Bradley’s dream,” Green shared. “He died doing what he loved most, and he had a great deal of affection for his livestock.”
McMichael had been actively raising cattle and lambs, and had recently added water buffaloes to the farm. However, these newly acquired animals turned deadly in a matter of hours.
The Incident: What Happened?
On the morning of the incident, Green recalled exchanging text messages with McMichael around 11 a.m., shortly after she left the property.
When she was unable to reach him later that day and noticed his vehicle still on-site, she grew concerned.
That evening, she began searching the farm and eventually found Bradley inside the animal enclosure, unresponsive. At 8:30 p.m., she placed a 911 emergency call.
According to Chief Bryan K. Farrington of the Jones Police Department, first responders arriving on the scene saw only McMichael’s legs through the fencing. Two aggressive water buffaloes were obstructing access to the victim.
Emergency Response Blocked by the Animals
The water buffaloes posed a significant danger, delaying emergency personnel from reaching McMichael in time.
According to Chief Farrington, the animals were actively pushing back against the gate and even lifting it with their horns, effectively preventing anyone from entering the enclosure.
“We simply couldn’t get through the gate because of the animals’ aggression,” said Chief Farrington. “By the time responders reached Mr. McMichael, he had already succumbed to his injuries.”
The animals were ultimately euthanized at the scene to ensure the safety of emergency workers.
Fatal Injuries and Aftermath
Authorities later confirmed that McMichael had suffered multiple deep lacerations caused by the water buffaloes, resulting in fatal wounds.
The Jones Police Department publicly released this information in a Monday news statement.
Green later stated that, based on what she was told by officials, even if medical assistance had reached McMichael earlier, his injuries were likely unsurvivable.
“After they got to him, I think they realized it wouldn’t have made a difference,” she said.
Remembering Bradley McMichael
McMichael Farms posted a heartfelt message on Facebook on Sunday, announcing the loss of their beloved family member and leader.
“We lost Bradley on Friday in a tragic accident,” the statement read.
Green mentioned that while McMichael had been full of hopes for the future of the farm, the tragedy has now left the fate of McMichael Farms uncertain.
Despite the heartbreaking circumstances, she takes solace in the fact that Bradley passed away doing something he genuinely loved.
A Rare and Unprecedented Attack
According to Chief Farrington, fatal encounters with water buffaloes are uncommon in the region. He noted that several local residents own water buffaloes and that there has been no history of previous fatal incidents involving the species in the area.
The investigation into the full details of how the attack occurred remains ongoing, though foul play is not suspected.
The untimely death of Bradley McMichael has left a deep void in the community and among those closest to him.
A devoted farmer with a lifelong connection to the land and animals, McMichael is remembered for his passion, dedication, and gentle spirit.
His tragic passing serves as a solemn reminder of the unpredictable dangers associated with working in agriculture, even for the most experienced individuals.