The son of rodeo star Spencer Wright has tragically been declared brain dead after driving his toy tractor into a fast-moving river. 

The horror unfolded on Tuesday in Beaver County, Utah, when three-year-old Levi Wright drove into a river and vanished under the water, leading to a desperate scramble to find him. 

Levi's mother reportedly dove in and saved him before he was raced to hospital, but while life-saving measures restored his heartbeat, the boy never regained consciousness and was declared brain dead, reports ABC4. 

In a heartbreaking statement to Facebook, it was said that Levi's 'sweet little brain was without oxygen too long and there is no coming back from that.'

Levi Wright, 3, the son of rodeo star Spencer Wright, was raced to hospital after driving his toy tractor into a fast-moving river stream 

The boy's heartbroken family said that although Levi began breathing again, he was declared brain dead as his 'sweet little brain was without oxygen too long and there is no coming back from that' 

When Levi drove into the river around 6pm Tuesday, it was reported that the person who called 911 frantically told the dispatcher that they couldn't see him under the fast-moving currents. 

His mother reportedly realized he had sneaked off and ran to the river, and jumped into the currents to save him, with her friend saying she 'was the one who found him, she got him out.' 

A huge response of rescue teams from the Beaver County Sheriff's Office, the Utah Highway Patrol, the Beaver County Search and Rescue team, and Beaver firefighters were quickly on the scene. 

The crews administered life-saving efforts before an ambulance raced him to Beaver County hospital, and he was later airlifted to Salt Lake City via helicopter. 

Wright's close friend and family spokesperson Mindy Sue Clark told ABC4 that he is being cared for at Salt Lake City Hospital, but unless he makes a dramatic recovery, he is not expected to survive. 

In a statement shared by Clark, the family said Levi's heart is 'beating on its own', but he is not showing signs of rehabilitation. 

'He has a will to breathe, but his sweet little brain was without oxygen too long and there is no coming back from that,' the family said. 

'We cuddled him all night and feel strongly that his spirit is no longer with us. We can’t be selfish and drag this out for days, he doesn’t deserve that. Shortly we will stop care and hold him close until his last breath on earth. My Baby, my beans, Mom & Dad love you always and forever!' 

Levi snuck away from his family in the toy tractor, and his mother reportedly dove into the river to save him after he disappeared under the currents 

Levi's family said he is the 'sweetest, kindest little boy' 

Spencer Wright, ranked 35th in the rodeo world rankings, and his family said the outpouring of support they have received 'means the world' to them 

Clark added that the family will have 'more to share soon', but asked to 'please give them more time to navigate through this process.' 

'Please send prayers for healing and comfort,' she said. 

Although Levi has been declared brain dead, Clark said the family have not given up all hope and continue to watch for any signs of a recovery. 

Clark previously told Fox13Now that after Levi was admitted to hospital, his uncle had been tickling his feet for a response, that led him to 'open his eyes a few times', however he did not recover further. 

'Even though Levi is such a sweet and tender-hearted little boy, he's a boy through and through, he's a cowboy through and through, he's a Wright through and through,' she said at the time. 

Clark described Levi as the 'sweetest, kindest little boy', adding: 'He will tell you he is a T-Rex, and he is as strong as a T-Rex.'

Levi's family described him as 'sweetest, kindest little boy', and that 'he will tell you he is a T-Rex, and he is as strong as a T-Rex' 

The Wright family have not publicly spoken since the tragedy, but Clark said the support from the rodeo community 'means the world' to them.

Spencer Wright's family is among the most prominent in the history of rodeo, and his father, Bill Wright, was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. 

Spencer is ranked 35th in the world rankings, and his siblings are also renowned athletes in the sport. 

ProRodeo CEO Tom Glause said in a statement: 'The entire ProRodeo community’s heart aches for the Wright family. We will continue to hold them in our thoughts and prayers.'