Mother Believed 3-Year-Old Daughter Was Dead After Being Kicked in the Head by Wild Horse

A family outing to Upper Lee Meadows in Mount Charleston, Nevada took a terrifying turn when a wild horse kicked 3-year-old Olivia Wilkey in the head, landing her in the hospital. The incident occurred on Saturday, Aug. 3, as Olivia, her parents Haley and Austin Wilkey, and her three siblings were helping with a photo shoot for another family in the area. Two wild mustangs approached the heavily populated area, initially keeping their distance as the children played nearby. However, in a sudden and shocking moment, one of the horses charged at Olivia, kicking her in the head before fleeing the scene.

Haley, Olivia’s mother, described the harrowing experience to local news outlets, recalling how she initially thought her daughter had died due to her unresponsive state. With limited cell phone reception in the area, Austin, Olivia’s father, had to drive towards Las Vegas to call for help. Another man who happened to be nearby came to Haley’s aid, providing first aid supplies and assisting in applying pressure to Olivia’s head to control the bleeding. The family had to wait almost an hour for help to arrive, with Haley and the stranger taking turns holding Olivia’s head shut to prevent further bleeding.

Olivia was eventually airlifted to a Las Vegas hospital, where she underwent a three-hour surgery performed by a neurosurgeon to repair her skull. The Mount Charleston Fire & Rescue team responded to the incident, noting the critical condition of the child upon their arrival. Despite spending several days in the intensive care unit, Olivia was able to make a remarkable recovery and was recently discharged from the hospital to continue healing at home with her family.

The incident has shed light on the presence of wild horses and donkeys in the area, which are protected under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. The Southern Nevada Conservancy advises visitors to keep a safe distance from these animals, as they can pose a risk of biting or trampling due to their wild nature. The U.S. Forest Service is set to investigate the cause of the horse attack, emphasizing the importance of respecting and maintaining a safe distance from these creatures in their natural habitat.

The Wilkey family has set up a GoFundMe page to assist with Olivia’s medical bills, which has garnered significant support from well-wishers. The community’s generosity and Olivia’s remarkable recovery serve as a testament to the strength and resilience of this young girl and her family in the face of a frightening and unexpected ordeal.