Rodeo star’s son, 3, declared brain dead after desperate mom’s battle to save him when he drove toy tractor into river
THE three-year-old son of a rodeo star has been declared brain dead after a tragic accident.
Spencer Wright’s boy Levi had driven his toy tractor into a river and nearly drowned before he was pulled out.
The incident happened around 6 pm on Tuesday in Beaver County, Utah, situated in the south of the state.
Levi had reportedly vanished under the water and was saved by his mother who dove into the water, according to ABC affiliate KTVX.
His mom, Kallie Wright, reportedly realized he had disappeared before jumping into the fast-moving river.
Her friend said, “She’s the one who found him, she got him out.”
Family friend and spokesperson Mindy Sue Clark shared updates on the situation and said his mother called 911.
Emergency crews from the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office, the local highway patrol, firefighters, and the Beaver County Search and Rescue team were present at the scene.
These groups provided care at the scene and an ambulance then took the boy to Beaver County Hospital.
Levi was later airlifted to a hospital in Salt Lake City.
Despite efforts, Levi did not regain consciousness and he was declared brain dead.
The son of the rodeo star is not expected to survive following his injuries.
Clark shared an update from Levi’s parents in a Facebook post on the boy’s condition.
“Levi’s heart is beating on its own, he has a will to breathe but his sweet little brain was without oxygen too long and there is no coming back from that,” Clark said.
“We cuddled him all night and feel strongly that his spirit is no longer with us.
“We can’t be selfish and drag this out for days, he doesn’t deserve that.
“Shortly we will stop care and hold him close until his last breath on earth.”
The post asked people to give the family space and send prayers for them and their son.
We cuddled him all night and feel strongly that his spirit is no longer with us.”
Spencer and Kallie Wright
Clark later told KTVX that the family was hoping to see any signs that their young son could survive.
Spencer Wright, 33, was a champion rodeo contestant and comes from a family of cowboys.
He was ranked 35th in the ProRodeo world standings in 2023.
The ProRodeo community also shared their support for the family at this time.
“The entire ProRodeo community’s heart aches for the Wright family,” the CEO of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association said in a statement.
“We will continue to hold them in our thoughts and prayers.”