Heroic father of five, 45, paralyzed after diving into the ocean in attempt to save two kids from dangerous California rip current
A 45-year-old father of five from San Clemente, California, has been left paralysed from the neck down after diving headfirst into the ocean to save two children caught in a dangerous rip current. Josh Collette, an experienced surfer and swimmer, rushed past the children's mother and dove into the water on 15 August at Riviera Beach, but struck his head on a sandbar that had formed as the rip current shifted the seabed. Both children were rescued safely by others, while Collette suffered a severe spinal cord injury.
Doctors confirmed Collette broke two vertebrae and can no longer feel anything below his shoulders; he is currently unable to speak but communicates by mouthing words, which his wife Rose interprets. He has been treated in the intensive care unit at Providence Mission Hospital since the accident and, in comments relayed by his wife, said he takes responsibility for diving in headfirst but does not regret trying to help. A GoFundMe campaign set up by his brother to cover medical and rehabilitation costs has raised nearly $228,000, and family members say he has shown recent signs of progress.
- California father paralysed diving in to save two children from rip current
- Josh Collette, 45, broke two vertebrae, hit hidden sandbar
- Children rescued safely; GoFundMe has raised nearly $228,000
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Josh Collette, a 45-year-old father of five from San Clemente, California, was left paralysed from the neck down after diving into the ocean on 15 August to rescue two children caught in a rip current at Riviera Beach. He struck his head on a sandbar hidden beneath the water, breaking two vertebrae and severely damaging his spinal cord, while the two children he was trying to save were brought to safety by other people nearby.
Collette, described as an experienced surfer and swimmer, has since been treated in intensive care at Providence Mission Hospital. He can no longer feel anything below his shoulders and is currently unable to speak, communicating instead by mouthing words that his wife, Rose, interprets for him.
The case has drawn wider attention partly because of the scale of support it has generated, including a GoFundMe campaign organised by his brother to help with medical and rehabilitation costs, and partly because it highlights the dangers rip currents can pose to would-be rescuers as well as swimmers.