A family outing turned into a nightmare for the Wilkey family when a wild horse kicked their 3-year-old daughter, Olivia, in the head at a national recreation area in Mount Charleston, just outside of Las Vegas. The incident occurred on Aug. 3, as the family was helping with a photo shoot for another family at Upper Lee Meadows. The parents, Haley and Austin Wilkey, along with their three other children, were enjoying the day when two wild mustangs approached the area.
Initially, the horses kept their distance, and Haley even managed to capture footage of Olivia with the horses in the background. However, the situation quickly turned dire when one of the wild horses charged at Olivia and kicked her in the head before running away. Haley recounted the terrifying moment, saying she thought her daughter had died as she was unresponsive. Austin also expressed his shock, stating that he didn’t know if Olivia was alive or not.
In a panic, Haley rushed to Olivia’s side and called for Austin’s help. With limited cell phone reception in the area, Austin had to drive back towards Las Vegas to seek assistance. Fortunately, another man who happened to be nearby came to Haley’s aid, providing first aid supplies and helping apply pressure to Olivia’s head to stop the bleeding. The situation was critical, with Haley and the stranger working together to keep Olivia stable until help arrived.
After almost an hour had passed since the horse’s kick, Olivia was airlifted to a Las Vegas hospital, where she underwent a three-hour surgery to repair her skull. The Mount Charleston Fire & Rescue team responded to the incident, confirming that Olivia was in critical condition and had to be transported to the hospital immediately.
Despite the severity of the situation, Olivia showed incredible resilience and fought for her life in the intensive care unit. After several days of treatment, she was finally released from the hospital and is now recovering at home with her family. A GoFundMe page was set up by Olivia’s family to assist with medical bills, raising over $20,000 in support of her recovery.
The Southern Nevada Conservancy highlighted the importance of maintaining a safe distance from wild horses and donkeys in the area, as they are protected under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. Visitors are advised to keep at least a school bus length away from the animals and to walk away if they approach. The U.S. Forest Service will be investigating the cause of the horse attack to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Wilkey family’s harrowing experience serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of wild animals and the importance of respecting their space in natural habitats. Olivia’s miraculous recovery is a testament to her strength and the support of her loved ones during a traumatic event. As they continue to heal from this ordeal, the Wilkey family hopes to raise awareness about wildlife safety and the need for caution when encountering wild animals in recreational areas.
