Son of rodeo star Spencer Wright in critical condition after driving toy tractor into river
BEAVER, Utah (KTVX) — A child hospitalized after driving a toy tractor into a river in southwestern Utah has been identified as the son of rodeo star Spencer Wright, the family's spokesperson and close friend told Nexstar's KTVX on Wednesday.
Mindy Sue Clark told the station that the child involved in the incident was Levi Wright, a young boy from a Utah family of rodeo superstars. Levi is currently at a Salt Lake City hospital, where he is in critical condition.
Earlier on Wednesday, Clark posted a statement on Facebook on behalf of the boy's parents, Spencer and Kallie Wright. At the time, they appeared to indicate that the boy was not expected to survive.
"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. 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. My Baby, my beans, Mom & Dad love you always and forever!"
In a later update, however, Kallie Wright urged supporters to pray for Levi, who had made surprising "strides" that she described as "small miracles," according to a post shared by Clark.
"He is fevering so they're keeping him really cold which is hard to watch, I can just hear him saying "mommy, I'm pretty coldy," reads the statement, attributed to Kallie Wright. "He is getting an eeg, to monitor any brain activity and we haven't heard much on what they're seeing yet. They've also started him on antibiotics and will do an MRI Friday or Saturday," she said, in part.
Kallie Wright's statement concluded with, "We don't know what the future holds, please don't let prayers for my baby dim or his story become old news! Keep praying for him."
Clark had also told KTVX that the family had not given up all hope. She says they are still watching for any signs that may indicate a positive outcome, and they hope that sharing their story might connect them with someone who may be able to help.
On Tuesday, the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office in Utah confirmed that a child had driven a toy tractor into a river around 6 p.m. The reporting party told dispatch they lost visual contact with the boy.
Alongside deputies, the Utah Highway Patrol, the Beaver County Search and Rescue team, and Beaver firefighters responded. Crews quickly found the child.
They administered life-saving measures before an ambulance brought the boy to a Beaver County hospital. A helicopter later transported him to Salt Lake City.
Friends of the family are hosting a raffle in which ticket-buyers will be able to win hat racks and other rodeo-related items. All of the money will go to the Wright family, organizers said.
The Wright name is synonymous with dominance on the rodeo circuit. Spencer Wright's father, Bill Wright, is a ProRodeo Hall of Famer, and most of Spencer's siblings are top athletes who compete in rodeo events across the country.
According to The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, Spencer Wright currently ranks 35th in global standings. Earlier this year, he won the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and Rodeo in Mercedes, Texas.
In a statement, PRCA CEO Tom Glause said that the Wright family has been a cornerstone in rodeo for years.
“The entire ProRodeo community’s heart aches for the Wright family," he said. "We will continue to hold them in our thoughts and prayers.”