A rodeo clown was taken to the hospital Sunday after being thrown almost 12 feet in the air, said Carey Harveycutter, Salem's director of civic facilities.

Lecile Harris, who has been clowning at the Salem Rodeo on and off since 1969, was taken to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. He was treated and released, hospital officials said.

Deborah Charles, 54, of Troutville was at the rodeo, where she witnessed the accident she described as surreal.

Charles said that Harris had his back to the bull, entertaining children in the arena, when the bull came up behind him and threw him into the air.

"He came down, I think he landed on his left shoulder and he just laid there," Charles said. "It was horrible."

Harris, according to his Web site, was named the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association's clown of the year in 1992, 1994, 1995 and 1996.

Harris has been involved in some capacity with rodeos since 1955, according to the site.

-- Annie Johnson