Teen rodeo star ‘fighting for his life’ after bull steps on him at Florida competition
A teenage bull riding champion is in the hospital after a bull stepped on his chest at a rodeo in central Florida, his family said on social media.
Walker Smith, 17, got bucked off a bull at a state fair on Friday, Nov. 15 — then the more than 1,200-pound bull “stomped on” him, an update on his Facebook page says.
He was able to get up and walk out of the arena on his own, and was even able to talk to people before he had to be airlifted to a trauma center in Melbourne due to low oxygen levels, the post says.
Once there, doctors discovered his lungs had collapsed and his brain was bleeding, the post says.
In a video shared to Facebook on Tuesday, Nov. 19, Walker’s father, Daniel Smith, shared his son had experienced “a series of mini strokes” that essentially froze his motor skills.
“So what they’re trying to do now is they’re trying to figure out the code to unlock his brain and unlock his motor skills,” Smith said in the video, adding that his son hasn’t been able to move his arms or legs.
Prayers, well wishes and messages of support have poured in across social media, Smith said.
“We really want to thank y’all from the bottom of our hearts,” he said as he wiped away tears. “I didn’t know that this many people knew who he was. It lets me know that he’s loved.”
Walker was named the Junior Bull Riding Champion of the Year in 2022 and quickly became a “highly renowned” name in the World Championship Bull Riding circuit, the Tallahassee Democrat reported. Walker and his family are from Tallahassee.
He started riding miniature bulls when he was 12, and his father is a former professional bull rider, the outlet reported.
“If you don’t know, he is strong. He’s super strong from the word ‘go,’” Smith said in the video. “Walker’s up there still fighting for his life. ...He is still fighting but he’ll get there.”
Walker underwent tracheotomy surgery to insert a feeding tube Nov. 21, Smith said.
“Lots of pain last night, not much sleep,” Smith shared in a Nov. 22 post on Facebook, adding that while his son “made some good strides” he still isn’t able to move his arms or legs. “But we will take the good and the bad…. I believe that there will be movement in the coming days. Every Dr is giving us hope.”
Walker was able to feel doctors stretching one of his legs the morning after surgery, according to an update on the online fundraiser set up for his medical bills.
“The other leg was a little delayed but he did eventually feel the stretch!” the update says. “Still nothing on his arms but he’s waking up more (agitation) and the feeling is a HUGE victory!”
The Smith family is relying heavily on their faith and their close rodeo community to get them through the ordeal.
“All I can do is stand on faith. Walk by faith and not by sight,” Smith told WCTV. “That’s the only thing that’s keeping me together.”
This story was originally published November 22, 2024 at 3:21 PM with the headline "Teen rodeo star ‘fighting for his life’ after bull steps on him at Florida competition."
