A teenage champion bull rider from Tallahassee has been left fighting for his life after being hit in the chest during a rodeo event in Florida.
Walker ‘Hollywood’ Smith, 17, was named the Junior Bull Riding Champion of the Year in 2022 and is a well-known contender in the World Championship Bull Riding.
But on November 15, his competitive career came to a standstill after he was a bull stepped on the left side of his chest in South Florida at around 10 pm.
Walker was rushed to the Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne on a helicopter and has remained in a critical condition.
‘The initial phone call was he had been kicked by the bull in his chest and they were going to have him looked at by the EMTs,’ mother Sabrina Smith recalled to Fox5.
‘Just a short while later, I received another phone call that he was being life-flighted,’ Sabrina added.
According to a Facebook post made on his page, his oxygen levels were in the low 70s, both of his lungs had collapsed and there was bleeding on his brain by the time he reached the hospital.
Father Danny Smith told Tallahassee Democrat: ‘We are here and Walker is fighting for his life.
Walker ‘Hollywood’ Smith, 17, a champion bull rider from Tallahassee has been left fighting for his life after being hit by a bull during a rodeo event in Florida
On November 15, his competitive career came to a standstill after he was a bull stepped on the left side of his chest in South Florida at around 10 pm
‘He goes into surgery [Thursday] morning for tracheotomy and feeding tube. He has tubes in both lungs and right now he is on the ventilator. Still not moving his arms and legs. But making improvements every day.
‘Small victories every day lead to big victories,’ he hopefully said.
Apart from this, Walker has also experienced a series of small strokes.
‘I’m not handling anything well. I’m not. Usually, I’m the one that’s telling everybody it’s OK. I’m the one that’s, but I’m not doing well,’ his father tearfully said.
‘You tell everybody, “Hey, it’s all going to be all right” and then you believe in your heart that it’s going to be all right. Well, when you get alone, you just know when your best friend is… I can’t speak,’ he added.
Sabrina further added: ‘A lot of mixed emotions. I feel helpless because there’s nothing I can do for him.’
Girlfriend Talor Heidt of Bainbridge, Georgia, was at the rodeo when the accident happened and has been spending time at the hospital with him.
‘He is probably one of the most kindest, sensitive persons I’ve ever met. He has such a soft heart.
Walker was rushed to the Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne on a helicopter and has since remained in a critical condition
According to a Facebook post made on his page, his oxygen levels were in the low 70s, both of his lungs had collapsed and there was bleeding on his brain by the time he reached the hospital
Apart from this, Walker has also experienced a series of mini-strokes
‘But he’s also a fighter, and he’s fighting so hard,’ she said.
The family has also launched a GoFundMe to help combat rising hospital bills.
‘I can only imagine what that Life Flight bill is going to be, not to mention that he’s in ICU,’ his mother said.
‘We’re probably looking at hundreds of thousands of dollars. It’s overwhelming. I’m trying not to even think about it because I’m trying to be focused on him, but it’s just overwhelming because there’s going to be a large bill out there.’
The crowdfunding page has exceeded its $5,000 goal by raising $5,540 in a matter of days.
According to organizer Jenna Wade Truitt Neal, Walker has also started showing signs of improvement and has been able to move his hands and feet during tests.
‘As of this am they have decided to put a Trach and Feeding tube in tomorrow am! Please be in prayer as he will be put under but we’re claiming in Jesus name after that he will start waking up more!!
‘When they tested his nerves in his hands and feet this am HE GRIMMACED and MOVED THEM more than he has!!! PRAISE JESUS!!! Thank YOU for answered prayers!!!!! We love you Walker! You’re doing big things with Jesus by your side and I couldn’t be more thankful kid!!!!’
Walker first began showing interest in the high-risk sport at the age of 12 and began training on a miniature bull. (Pictured here with a sponsor)
The young star attended Fort Braden Middle School and is a graduate of the Florida Virtual School.
He first began showing interest in the high-risk sport at the age of 12 and began training on a miniature bull.
He also has a 26-year-old brother and a 13-year-old younger sister who suffers from autism.
‘Let me tell you this, what kind of kid we got here,’ Danny said of the young boy.
‘He spent most of his riding career focusing on other kids and helping them.
‘We’re talking about a kid who never took a day for granted, always wanted to help the next generation. His only life goal was to help anybody who needed help.’
