California Father, 42, Is Paralyzed After Rip-Current Rescue Attempt Raises Nearly $110,000
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 24
California Father, 42, Is Paralyzed After Rip-Current Rescue Attempt Raises Nearly $110,000
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 24
Summary
Josh Collette, a 42-year-old father of five, was left paralyzed from the neck down after diving into the ocean at San Clemente's Riviera Beach on Aug. 15 to help a child caught in a rip current.
His sister said Collette struck either a sandbar or rocks as he entered the water, and he immediately told his wife he believed he had broken his neck.
The child—believed to be 7 or 8—was pulled out safely before Collette was brought from the water, with bystanders rushing in to help him.
Doctors told the family he has a spinal cord injury; he cannot currently speak but communicates by moving his lips, and relatives expect his speech to return.
A GoFundMe for medical bills, long-term therapy and family support had raised nearly $110,000 by Sunday night as relatives described a long recovery ahead.