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A four-year-old cowboy is recovering from severe injuries after he was kicked in the head by a horse near his family’s rural Utah farm.
Houston Hampton was left with a fractured skull, as well as spine and brain damage, following the tragic accident on Friday in the small town of Aurora.
He and some relatives had been walking to his grandparents’ house when they decided to take a look at a fish trap in a lake.
But as the relatives crossed back over the fence, one of the horses became spooked and kicked the boy in the head, according to his parents.
‘The older cousin walked through and out and he kind of kept walking up the fence and spooked one of the horses as [Houston] came behind it and it kicked him in the head,’ his father, Trey, told ABC4.
Houston Hampton was severely injured on Friday after a spooked horse kicked him in the head
The boy suffered a fractured skull and spine and brain damage. He is currently recovering after undergoing surgery
Houston was aided by EMS and airlifted to the Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City
The boy’s family rushed to help Houston, who became unconscious after the kick and had his forehead split open.
He was treated by EMTs and airlifted to the Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City where he underwent surgery.
During surgery, doctors reportedly had to remove the boy’s skullcap and five percent of the brain tissue from his frontal lobe, which was damaged.
His mother Kodi shared on Facebook that the fracture was on the very front side of Houston’s skull, which allowed the brain to swell, saving his life.
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However, the family is crediting Houston’s dad and uncle’s quick response as well as that of first responders.
‘Between myself knowing the basics of what I know, my brother being instructed by dispatch, and the fast response of the first responders we were able to get Houston loaded quickly,’ his uncle Tyler told NBC affiliate KTSU.
Houston has been moving his fingers and toes but is still in critical condition and has a long recovery ahead of him
Houston’s family has said the little cowboy has been riding horses with help since he was about one year old
Houston has been moving his fingers and toes but is still in critical condition and has a long recovery ahead of him.
On Monday, his mom shared an update on Facebook, explaining that the bandage was removed from the surgery incision.
‘We just didn’t know what to expect, but we are so thrilled with how good it looks. the incision on his scalp is zigzagged to make his hair blend better when it grows back,’ the mom wrote.
‘His little body is so swollen from head to toe. Partially due to the trauma he experienced and also the fluids that are being pumped into him to help keep his pressures and numbers balanced.
‘We are hoping his fluid output will increase soon. It absolutely breaks my heart to see him like this,’ she added.
Houston’s family has said the little cowboy has been riding horses with help since he was about one year old.
The central Utah community has rallied around Houston’s recovery, and have scheduled a fundraising event named Hats off for Houston for July 19.
Tickets for the event held at the Blackhawk Arena in Salina cost $5, with all the money going to Houston’s family.
Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk
