"I just want to get my son home. I just want him to live," the heartbroken mother, Heidi Keryan said.
When an 8-year-old Stefan Keryan was gravely injured in a horseback riding accident in Belize, what began as a dream holiday turned into a parent's worst nightmare. His family now shares that Stefan is "fighting for his life."
During a trip, the Keryans chose to go on an excursion to a monkey sanctuary, which included horseback riding, according to mum Heidi, who spoke to ABC station KMGH-TV. "My family and I went on our first-ever cruise through Carnival and Belize was one of the stops for the day. We planned to go to a monkey sanctuary and the tour included a horseback ride," Heidi said.
A boy from Denver is fighting for his life in Belize after being dragged by a horse. His mom is pleading for help to get him back home to get the special medical care he needs. You can donate here: https://t.co/JVWLO3GXUC @DenverChannel
— Kristian Lopez (@KlopezNews) December 10, 2022
According to a GoFundMe account put up by the family, as Stefan was riding the horse, it "got spooked and began running." "He ended up getting dragged by the horse for almost two miles on gravel pavement on his back and his head," his mom shared during an interview with CBS. "My older daughter and I were already back and saw him being dragged and eventually were able to catch up with him," she added. "Somebody got in a car and was able to stop the horse."
As a result, the family claims Stefan received third-degree burns on his back, arms, and leg, as well as surgery to replace a portion of his scalp. "A CT scan showed a skull fracture and a minor contusion at the back of his brain, but fortunately, there was no brain damage. Arrangements are being made to fly him home on a medical flight with a nurse onboard to administer morphine through his IV," per the GoFundMe.
"It went from us being in this tropical paradise to being in a nightmare. I mean, I don't know how to explain it because I still feel like it's a nightmare. And hopefully, I'm going to wake up soon, but unfortunately, it's not. And I just want to get my son home. I just want him to live," Heidi added to CBS.
Geno Haggan, the owner of a Colorado-based medevac firm, Peak Medevac International, was motivated to help the family after hearing their tale on KCNC-TV. "It gives me a lot of pride to be able to do this for somebody," Haggan said. "I'm super proud of my team. In less than 24 hours we’re doing an international rescue," he added.
According to KCNC-TV, Stefan returned home late Sunday night and was then sent to an Aurora children's hospital. Stefan will "receive the specialized care he needs for a full recovery," according to his family. "Thank you all for your prayers and generous contributions," a family member wrote an update on the GoFundMe. "We are blessed to have all of you in our life."
He has arrived !! His teachers were here to greet him ❤️ pic.twitter.com/99zoNCxZuU
— Kristian Lopez (@KlopezNews) December 12, 2022
"People have been amazing to us. We have had strangers come up to us and cry with us and pray with us and bring us flowers and food and the people in the hospital saved his life," said Heidi. "He's alive right now because of them."
References:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/stefan-keryan
Cover Image Source: GoFundMe
