Six-year-old boy determined to walk unaided after being struck by a car in Orillia one week ago
Six-year-old Wyatt Thompson is taking his first steps at SickKids Hospital nearly one week after police say he was struck by a car with three others while walking back to their car outside the Orillia hospital.
The Parry Sound boy suffered several injuries, including skull fractures, a vertebrae break, and lacerations to his liver and spleen when the car hit him, his mother, baby sister and a family friend from behind.
Family told CTV News his 11-week-old sister was uninjured, while the other two women suffered minor injuries.
"He's definitely one force to be reckoned with, and clearly, that car found out," said Wyatt's aunt, Andrea Thompson. "I'm just so grateful that he's here."
Wyatt was airlifted to the Toronto children's hospital in critical condition last Thursday afternoon, and his aunt says he's making a remarkable recovery, now able to move with support around the hospital where his father has been by his side while his mother recovers.
Wyatt Thompson, 6, of Parry Sound, Ont., begins moving around SickKids Hospital in Toronto, Ont., with aid one week after being struck by a car. (Supplied)
A GoFundMe campaign launched the day of the crash to help the boy's family while he heals has raised nearly $12,000.
"The overwhelming support from the community, again, has been incredible," Thompson said.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local news updates sent to your inbox
The community rallied around the Thompson family, offering cleaning services and a superhero photoshoot once Wyatt is healthy enough to flex his muscles.
For now, the six-year-old boy remains focused on walking without the help of any equipment and returning home with his family.
"I do believe in thoughts and prayers because look how fast this kid has healed. So, thank you," Thompson concluded.
Police have yet to confirm whether any charges will be laid in the collision.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

NEW Canada's primary care needs serious updates, study reveals
Canada is trailing behind other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries when it comes to both the number of physicians relative to the population, and its spending on primary care, according to a new analysis published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Schools closed, tens of thousands without electricity as snow falls in Quebec
More than 70,000 people in Quebec are without electricity after Environment Canada reported nearly 25 cm of snow had fallen across the province.
Escaped kangaroo found safe after 3 days on the loose in Ontario
A kangaroo that escaped the Oshawa Zoo last week has been captured by Durham police officers after more than three days on the loose.
Israel orders evacuations as it widens offensive but Palestinians are running out of places to go
The Israeli military on Monday renewed its calls for mass evacuations from the southern town of Khan Younis, where tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians have sought refuge in recent weeks, as it widened its ground offensive and bombarded targets across the Gaza Strip.
Global Affairs reports Canadian killed in Lebanon in connection with Israel-Hamas war
Global Affairs is reporting the death of another Canadian due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. This is the ninth casualty connected to Canada.
This Canadian couple used surrogacy to have a child. Here's what they want you to know
Families that need help conceiving a child are met with financial burdens that should be covered through government health care and insurance, advocates say.
Renowned Quebec entrepreneur, partner reported dead in Caribbean
Quebec entrepreneur Daniel Langlois and his spouse Dominique Marchand have died in their adopted home of Dominica, in the Caribbean, a source has confirmed.
Oxford University Press has named 'rizz' as its word of the year
Oxford University Press has named 'rizz' as its word of the year, highlighting the popularity of a term used by Generation Z to describe someone's ability to attract or seduce another person.
These are the 5 headlines you should read this morning
Global Affairs Canada confirms the death of an eighth Canadian amid the Israel-Hamas war, Venezuelans approve a referendum to claim sovereignty over much of Guyana, and international students are once again set to face working hour limits.