California father left quadriplegic after diving to rescue child from rip current
Josh Collette, a 42-year-old father of five, was rendered paralyzed from the neck down after jumping into the ocean at Riviera Beach to save a child caught in a rip current.
On August 15, Josh Collette, 42, was enjoying a beach day with his family at Riviera Beach in San Clemente, California, when a child, believed to be about seven or eight, was swept into a rip current. The child's mother attempted a rescue, but Collette surged ahead and entered the water to help. Upon impact with a sandbar or rocks, he suffered a severe spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the neck down and unable to speak, though he can communicate by moving his lips.
The child was safely retrieved before Collette was pulled from the surf, and emergency responders rushed him to a hospital where physicians confirmed his condition. His family has started a GoFundMe page, which has raised nearly $110,000 to assist with his medical bills, therapy, and ongoing support. Updates indicate he is working to reduce his medication dependence, but recovery will be lengthy and challenging.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the dangers of rip currents and the personal risks involved in rescue attempts.
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