The son of rodeo star Spencer Wright has been tragically declared brain dead after driving his toy tractor into a fast-flowing river.
Horror unfolded Tuesday in Beaver County, Utah, when three-year-old Levi Wright waded into a river and disappeared underwater, sparking a desperate scramble to find him.
Levi’s mother reportedly jumped in and saved him before he was rushed to the hospital, but although life-saving measures restored his heartbeat, the boy never regained consciousness and was declared brain dead. informs. ABC4.
In a heartbreaking statement on Facebook, it was said that Levi’s “sweet little brain has been without oxygen for too long and there is no turning back.”
Levi Wright, 3, son of rodeo star Spencer Wright, was rushed to the hospital after driving his toy tractor into a fast-flowing river.
The boy’s heartbroken family said that although Levi began breathing again, he was declared brain dead because his “sweet little brain was without oxygen for too long and there is no turning back.”
When Levi drove toward the river around 6 p.m. Tuesday, the 911 caller reportedly told the dispatcher they couldn’t see him under the swift currents.
His mother reportedly realized he had slipped away and ran to the river, and jumped into the currents to save him, and her friend said that she “was the one who found him, she pulled him out.”
A large response from rescue crews from the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office, Utah Highway Patrol, Beaver County Search and Rescue and Beaver Firefighters quickly arrived on scene.
Crews made life-saving efforts before an ambulance took him to Beaver County Hospital, and he was then flown by helicopter to Salt Lake City.
Mindy Sue Clark, a close friend and spokesperson for Wright’s family, told ABC4 that he is being treated at Salt Lake City Hospital, but unless he makes a dramatic recovery, he is not expected to survive.
In a statement shared by Clark, the family said Levi’s heart is “beating on its own,” but he shows no signs of rehabilitation.
“He wants to breathe, but his sweet little brain has been without oxygen for too long and there is no turning back,” the family said.
‘We held him all night and felt strongly that his spirit was no longer with us. We can’t be selfish and drag this out for days, he doesn’t deserve this. We will soon stop caring for him and keep him close until his last breath on earth. My baby, my beans, mom and dad love you always and forever!’
Levi ran away from his family on the toy tractor and his mother reportedly dove into the river to save him after he disappeared under the currents.
Levi’s family says he is the “sweetest, kindest boy”
Spencer Wright, ranked 35th in the world rodeo rankings, and his family said the outpouring of support they have received “means a lot” to them.
Clark added that the family will have “more to share soon,” but asked to “please give them more time to navigate through this process.”
“Please send prayers for healing and comfort,” he said.
Although Levi has been declared brain dead, Clark said the family has not lost all hope and continues to watch for any signs of recovery.
Clark previously said Fox13Now that after Levi was admitted to the hospital, his uncle had been tickling his feet for a response, prompting him to “open his eyes a couple of times”, however, he did not recover further.
“Even though Levi is such a sweet, good-hearted kid, he’s a kid through and through, he’s a cowboy through and through, he’s a Wright through and through,” he said at the time.
Clark described Levi as “the sweetest, kindest kid,” adding, “He’ll tell you he’s a T-Rex and he’s as strong as a T-Rex.”
Levi’s family described him as “the sweetest, kindest boy” and that “he’ll tell you he’s a T-Rex and he’s as strong as a T-Rex.”
The Wright family has not spoken publicly since the tragedy, but Clark said the rodeo community’s support “means a lot” to them.
Spencer Wright’s family is among the most notable in rodeo history and his father, Bill Wright, was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.
Spencer is ranked 35th in the world and his brothers are also renowned athletes in this sport.
ProRodeo CEO Tom Glause said in a statement: “The entire ProRodeo community is heartbroken for the Wright family.” “We will continue to keep them in our thoughts and prayers.”