Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen suffers injuries during horseback riding incident

Nebraska politics was rocked this week after news broke that the state's leader, Gov. Jim Pillen (R) had a medical emergency that resulted in a rapid trip to the hospital for treatment.

According to the Washington Examiner, Gov. Pillen was reportedly riding horses with his family over the weekend when he was violently thrown off the horse, sparking an emergency medical situation with serious injuries. 

The horse he was riding was reportedly a "new" horse.

The Republican governor was rushed to Columbus Community Hospital in Columbus, Nebraska for treatment. Out of an abundance of caution, he was later taken to University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha for treatment.

The governor, while not suffering any life-threatening injuries, was beat up badly by the accident, as detailed in a press release issued by his office earlier this week.

"Gov. Pillen was transported to Nebraska Medicine Sunday afternoon after a horseback riding accident while riding with his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter near Columbus. The Governor’s injuries included minor lacerations to his spleen and kidney, seven broken ribs, a partially collapsed lung resulting from the rib damage, and a minor fracture in one of his vertebrae," the statement read.

It added, "There were no injuries to his neck, head, nervous system or additional internal organs."

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen hospitalized after getting bucked off horse https://t.co/Cx9fKttKNb pic.twitter.com/bnMuruJCcI

— New York Post (@nypost) December 23, 2024

The governor's office also detailed the treatment he received for the spleen injury.

Following the initial public report of his condition, the Governor’s doctors recommended he undergo a coil embolization – a minimally invasive procedure to address minor bleeding from his spleen. The procedure took less than an hour and included anesthesia.

It was noted that while he was under anesthesia, Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly briefly acted as governor, per the rules of the Nebraska Constitution.

The emergency treatment was described as "successful," and the governor was awake and with it afterward.

He will reportedly be kept at the hospital for observation "for several days," according to the press release.

His family thanked the doctors, nurses, and emergency responders for ensuring his safety, and thanked his supporters for the outpouring of prayers and support.

Hopefully, the governor will be able to enjoy Christmas with his family in good health.