Girl who slipped into coma after horse fall wakes up

Ras Al Khaimah: "It’s a miracle,” exclaimed Loai Saleh when his teenage daughter woke up after five days in a coma.

Those five days were a living hell for Saleh and his wife Rowayda Eid.

The Syrian family’s ordeal began on March 4 when 14-year old Haya Loai slipped into a coma following a skull fracture after falling off a horse during training at the Equestrian Club in Ras Al Khaimah. She was rushed to the intensive care unit at Saqr Hospital in Ras Al Khaimah in a highly critical condition.

Miraculous recovery

“It’s a miracle, she’s awake and talking, she recognises us, she knows I’m her father, and she knows her mum. She knows her family, she confused the names, but she’ll regain her memory fully in due time,” said Saleh, speaking to XPRESS from hospital.

Recounting the accident, Saleh said his daughter wanted to be the first to have a go at a new horse on that fateful day, but things went terribly wrong. The girl’s helmet came off as the horse took off after it was spooked by something. Haya fell off with a horrible thud, cracking her skull and slipping into coma.

“It was an accident and no one’s fault,” said Saleh.

Though the internal bleeding stopped the following day, Haya’s life was still in the balance. “When she was admitted to hospital she was in critical condition, but she seems to be on the mend now, thanks be to God,” her father said.

As Haya started to come around on Saturday, doctors slowly removed her from life support and sedatives. “She’s come out of ICU. She’s doing great, we’re grateful to the staff that supervised her starting with Dr Muthar Hashim and nurse Khadra Ali,” said her father.

“God willing she will make a complete recovery within a month,” said her mother

The parents said they hoped the accident would not deter Haya from fulfilling her dream of becoming a professional horse-rider. “She’s been riding horses since she was seven and has taken part in 40km and 90km races. She wants to make it to the national level. I hope she is able to do that,” said Saleh.