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Family Grateful ATV Accident "Behind Them"

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PLANO (CBSDFW.COM) – A Plano family is thankful to be back at home and resting after a Spring break trip turned into horror.

Todd Haecker was riding an ATV with his 4-year-old daughter, Riley while the family was vacationing in Lampassas.

It wasn't the first time Riley had ridden with her father on the vehicle. But it was the first time they both fell off.

Riley was hurt so badly she was airlifted to an Intensive Care Unit in Temple where she was hospitalized for 14 days.

Released over the weekend, Riley and her family spoke to CBS11 from their living room saying they are thankful the worst is behind them.

"You know it can happen but it isn't going to happen to me. It's the same thing everyone says. Everyone says that until it happens to you," said Todd Haecker.

Riley's recovery will last a while longer, but all indicators are that she will make a full recovery.

Her family said doctors were impressed by how quickly Riley is recovering.

"They were actually amazed at her recovery. They didn't expect it to progress as fast as it did. They credit a lot of that to her fighting spirit and her youth," said Haecker.

The Haecker's are now expressing their gratitude for all those who supported the family during these rough times. "Just our spirits and the prayers that we got... it was just amazing."

As for ATV riding, Rileys mother Jessica Haecker said they won't be doing that again adding, "We're lucky and why tempt it again? We'll go to movie theatres and water parks instead."

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