A selfless act of bravery has left a California father of five paralyzed from the neck down after he plunged into the ocean to save a child caught in a dangerous rip current. Josh Collette, 42, was enjoying a family outing at Riviera Beach in San Clemente on August 15th when the harrowing incident unfolded.
A Moment of Crisis
According to his sister, Hillary Collette, a young child, estimated to be between seven and eight years old, became ensnared by a powerful rip current. The child’s mother initially attempted to enter the water to assist, but Josh Collette, without hesitation, moved past her and dove into the turbulent waves, determined to reach the struggling youngster.
Tragically, as Collette entered the water, he struck a submerged sandbar or rocks, sustaining a severe injury. Bystanders quickly responded, rushing to his aid and helping to pull him from the ocean. In the immediate aftermath, Collette conveyed to his wife his grave concern that he had broken his neck.
The Aftermath and a Family’s Hope
Miraculously, the child Collette was trying to rescue was safely brought ashore before he was. However, the medical reality for Josh Collette was stark. Doctors informed his family that he had suffered paralysis from the neck down. While initially unable to speak, he was able to communicate by moving his lips, and his family held onto the hope that he would eventually regain his speech.
The Collette family has established a GoFundMe campaign to help manage the overwhelming medical expenses, long-term therapy needs, and general support for the family as they embark on what is anticipated to be a challenging and lengthy recovery period. A message on the fundraising page described the accident, stating, “Josh was hurt in an ocean accident on Sat Aug 15th he has a spinal cord injury.” The family expressed their determination, adding, “The road ahead will be long, and the recovery will not be easy, we’re holding on to hope.”
The family’s faith and gratitude were palpable in their updates. “We believe in miracles! We’ve already seen so many and thank everyone for the love, support, and prayers!” they wrote. “Please keep praying for miracles! Its working!”
Ongoing Recovery and Community Support
In a recent update shared on a Friday, the family provided insight into Josh’s recovery, noting that it would take time before he could discontinue certain medications. They also shared a photograph of Josh from his hospital bed, offering a glimpse into his current reality.
“Yesterday was so positive and productive! So, it was hard to have a day with less progress,” the family shared. “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 outpouring of generosity has been significant, with the GoFundMe campaign raising nearly $110,000 by Sunday night, demonstrating the community’s deep concern and willingness to support the Collette family during this critical time. The incident serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of rip currents and the extraordinary courage some individuals display in the face of peril.
