A sheriff's deputy was forced to shoot and kill an out of control bull, according to the Martin County Sheriff's Office.
The bull had trampled a rancher and the deputy fired to save the man's life, the sheriff's office said.
After trampling 24-year-old Justin White, the bull was trying to push the man into a pond, the sheriff's office posted on its Facebook page.
The incident happened just after 7 a.m. at 25801 SW Martin Highway.
The responding deputy was identified as Sergeant Carmine Diapalo who said he found White in a fetal position near water, with the aggressive bull standing over him.
The sergeant fired three times and killed the bull.
The bull seriously injured White who suffered a number of broken bones and fractures.
He was flown to a hospital for treatment. His condition was not released.
The sheriff's office described White as an experienced and popular rancher in the agricultural community.
This story will be updated when more information is available.
MCSO Sgt. forced to shoot and kill out of control bull that trampled local rancher. Rancher is seriously injured. Victim flown to hospital. pic.twitter.com/MTz7kSFd6d
— MartinCountySheriff (@MartinFLSheriff) November 28, 2016