In a heart-stopping incident captured on video, a Nevada toddler narrowly escaped death after being violently kicked by a wild horse during a family outing. The shocking event has sparked a warning from the child’s family about the hidden dangers posed by wild animals in scenic locations.
Haley Wilkey, a mother of four, was filming a serene moment of her three-year-old daughter, Olivia, frolicking in a meadow near Mount Charleston, 40 miles west of Las Vegas. The idyllic scene took a terrifying turn when a wild horse, weighing up to 1,000 pounds, brutally attacked Olivia.
“I thought she had died because she was unresponsive,” Wilkey recalled with anguish. The impact from the wild horse’s kick resulted in a severe skull fracture. Wilkey, a picture of parental resilience, had to apply pressure to Olivia’s head for 45 agonizing minutes while waiting for emergency responders to arrive.
Miraculously, Olivia survived the ordeal. Despite the grave injuries, including a split skull, a brain bleed, and a severe concussion, the toddler was discharged from the hospital less than a week after the attack. The incident was recorded on Wilkey’s camera, providing a haunting glimpse into the moments leading up to the horrific event.
In the chilling video, Olivia can be seen admiring the wild horse, which was grazing calmly nearby. Her innocent curiosity quickly turned to terror as the situation escalated. The footage captures the moment Olivia’s back was turned before the wild horse struck.
Wilkey recounted the harrowing rescue operation to Fox 5 Vegas. “My screams caught the attention of a passerby who played a crucial role in saving Olivia’s life,” she said. As her husband frantically searched for cell service in the remote area, the stranger used his first aid kit to help Wilkey manage the bleeding.
“It was almost 45 minutes of holding her head together, and if we eased up at all, the bleeding would start again,” Wilkey added, highlighting the terrifying wait for the ambulance.
Olivia was airlifted to University Medical Center, where a three-hour surgery was performed to repair her fractured skull. The neurosurgeon worked tirelessly to stabilize her condition, and Olivia’s recovery has been nothing short of remarkable. Just three days after the attack, she was interacting with her family and preparing to go home.
The Wilkey family has since launched an online fundraiser and shared their story to caution other parents about the potential dangers of wild horses. “In hindsight, we were too close to these animals. Now, I would leave the area as soon as I saw a wild horse,” Wilkey said, underscoring the need for vigilance.
This alarming incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of wildlife. While picturesque meadows like Mount Charleston offer breathtaking views, they also harbor risks that can turn a peaceful day into a life-threatening emergency. The Wilkeys hope their story will prompt others to exercise caution and respect the wildlife that inhabits these beautiful, yet hazardous, environments.
