A California father of five has been left paralyzed from the neck down after he jumped into the ocean to try to help a child caught in a rip current.
Josh Collette, 42, from San Clemente, was at Riviera Beach with his family on Aug. 15, when the kid, aged around seven, got caught in the waves, his sister, Hillary Collette, told KTLA.
The child’s mother headed into the water to try to reach them, but Josh sprinted ran past her and went in himself.
Moments after entering the water, Josh hit either rocks or a sandbar, suffering a severe injury. Beachgoers rushed to his aid and helped bring him back to shore.
Josh immediately told his wife he thought he had broken his neck. Doctors later told the family that Josh had been paralyzed from the neck down.
He has not yet been able to speak, though his family has been told he is expected to regain that ability. In the meantime, he has remained in good spirits, his sister said.
The child Josh had rushed into the ocean to help was able to make it safely out of the water before Josh was rescued.
As Josh faces what his family expects will be an extensive recovery, relatives have started an online fundraiser to help the father of five with medical bills, long-term therapy and other costs.
“The road ahead will be long, and the recovery will not be easy, we’re holding on to hope,” a family member wrote on the GoFundMe.
“We’ve already seen so many [miracles] and thank everyone for the love, support, and prayers!”
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