A California father of five is paralyzed from the neck down after rushing into the ocean to help a young child his family says was trapped in a rip current.
Josh Collette, 42, was with relatives at Riviera Beach in San Clemente on Aug. 15 when a child, believed to be about 7 or 8 years old, was swept into danger by the current, his sister, Hillary Collette, told KTLA.
According to Hillary Collette, the child’s mother initially headed into the water to reach her child, but Josh Collette sprinted past her and dove in, attempting to assist in the rescue.
Josh Collette was paralyzed from the neck down after diving into the ocean to help a young child caught in a rip current. (GoFundMe)
Moments after entering the surf, his sister said, Collette hit what may have been a sandbar or rocks, suffering an immediate and devastating injury.
Bystanders quickly moved to help and pulled him from the water. Once on shore, Collette told his wife he thought he had broken his neck.
The young child Collette had tried to save was safely rescued before Collette himself was brought out of the ocean, his sister said.
Doctors later informed the family that Josh Collette had been paralyzed from the neck down, according to his sister.
Josh Collette inadvertently hit either a sandbar or rocks after entering the water, injuring him immediately. (GoFundMe)
His sister said he was unable to speak but communicated by moving his lips; she said the family expects him to regain his ability to speak.
His family created a GoFundMe as they prepare to help with medical bills, long-term therapy and support for the family as they navigate the long and difficult recovery ahead.
“Josh was hurt in an ocean accident on Sat Aug 15th he has a spinal cord injury,” a family member wrote on the fundraiser. “The road ahead will be long, and the recovery will not be easy, we’re holding on to hope.”
“We believe in miracles! We’ve already seen so many and thank everyone for the love, support, and prayers!” the fundraiser added. “Please keep praying for miracles! Its working!”
Josh Collette with his wife and five children. (GoFundMe)
In an update shared on Friday, the family said it will take some time for him to no longer need medicine. The family also shared a picture of Josh Collette from his hospital bed.
“Yesterday was so positive and productive! So, it was hard to have a day with less progress. This guy hates medicine! He’s trying hard to get off of everything… but, that’s going to take some time. Thank you so much for all the prayers, love, and support. We love you all so much and feel so loved by all the help you’ve given us. We’re hanging in there and so grateful for all of you,” the family wrote on the fundraiser.
The GoFundMe has raised nearly $110,000 as of Sunday night.
