A seven-year-old girl from County Durham has defied all medical expectations following a catastrophic horse-riding accident, which left her with severe brain injuries. Senara Wilton’s ordeal began during what was intended to be a routine lesson at a riding school in Hunwick, County Durham, in August 2023. She was thrown from her horse, but her foot remained trapped in the stirrup, causing her to be dragged at speed beneath the frightened animal.
Witnesses describe how the horse, clearly spooked by events, hurtled uncontrollably across the training ground, with Senara left dangling, attached only by her trapped foot. During this terrifying trajectory, Senara was subjected to repeated kicks to the head from the horse’s hooves, and at one point her riding helmet was knocked off entirely. Her parents, Pauline and Eric Wilton, looked on in disbelief and horror as the accident unfolded before their eyes.
As soon as Senara was freed from the horse, the extent of her injuries became apparent. The young girl was unresponsive and experiencing laboured breathing. Emergency services were immediately summoned, and her father Eric, acting quickly, performed CPR when she ceased to breathe altogether. Paramedics arrived shortly before Senara began breathing again, but it was clear that her condition was critical.
Owing to the urgency and severity of Senara’s injuries, the Great North Air Ambulance was dispatched and she was promptly airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle. Paramedic Hollie Smith, who attended the scene, explained that swift action was vital, stating, “With injuries like Senara’s, every minute counts.” Upon arrival, Senara received a lifesaving anaesthetic before and during her flight to Newcastle—a journey that took just nine minutes, in contrast to the near hour it would have taken by road.
Once in hospital, specialists identified multiple brain bleeds and significant swelling. Senara underwent emergency surgery and was placed in intensive care. During these fraught early days, her parents were warned by medical staff that she might never walk or talk again, such was the scale of her head trauma. The family were also warned of the possibility of long-term complications, including difficulties with movement and the risk of developing dystonia, a disorder characterised by involuntary muscle spasms.
Despite these grim forecasts, Senara’s recovery has stunned both her family and the clinicians who treated her. Following several weeks in rehabilitation, she gradually regained critical functions, progressing far beyond initial expectations. Her mother, Pauline, remarked on the emotional toll, saying, “The human impact as a parent is massive, but there’s nothing you can do except wait. The prognosis was dire, and we braced ourselves for the worst.”
By October 2023, just before Halloween, Senara had improved so much that she was discharged from hospital. Over the following months, she continued to gain strength, and now participates in gymnastics, swimming, and karate—an active lifestyle that stands as testament to her resilience. Pauline shared, “She struggles a little with her movements, but to most people, she appears completely back to normal. She’s really made incredible progress.”
Moving forward, Senara and her family have taken time to reflect on the efforts of those who contributed to her survival. This week, nearly two years after the event, Senara, together with her parents, visited the base of the Great North Air Ambulance Service near Eaglescliffe. The family expressed their gratitude to the paramedics and medical team who played such a pivotal role in her recovery. Pauline said, “Without them, I’m very aware we might not have a daughter anymore.”
Senara’s miraculous recovery has drawn significant attention, prompting both celebration and discussion within the broader community about safety in equestrian activities and the critical importance of swift emergency response. Her story stands both as a warning of the dangers inherent in horse riding, particularly for children, and a remarkable example of hope and determination in the face of enormous adversity.