A California father of five was paralyzed from the neck down after entering the ocean in an effort to help a young child who his family said was caught in a rip current.Josh Collette, 42, was spending time with his family at Riviera Beach in San Clemente, California, on Aug.15, when a child believed to be 7- or 8-years-old became caught in a rip current, the man's sister, Hillary Collette, told KTLA.The child’s mother first entered the water to go after her child, but Josh Collette ran past her and dove into the ocean in an effort to help the child, Hillary Collette told the outlet.GEORGIA TEACHER, FATHER HAILED AS HERO AFTER DYING TO SAVE GIRL FROM MYRTLE BEACH RIP CURRENTJosh Collette was paralyzed from the neck down after heroically diving into the ocean to help a young child who was caught in a rip current.
(GoFundMe)As he entered the water, Collette’s sister said he struck either a sandbar or rocks and was immediately injured.Several people then rushed to his aid and helped pull him from the water.He told his wife right away that he believed he had broken his neck.The child Josh Collette was attempting to help was safely pulled out of the water before Collette was brought from the water, his sister said.Collette’s sister said doctors told the family that Josh Collette was paralyzed from the neck down.Josh Collette inadvertently hit either a sandbar or rocks after entering the water, injuring him immediately.
(GoFundMe)His sister said he was unable to speak but communicated by moving his lips; she said the family expects him to regain his ability to speak.His family created a GoFundMe as they prepare to help with medical bills, long-term therapy and support for the family as they navigate the long and difficult recovery ahead."Josh was hurt in an ocean accident on Sat Aug 15th he has a spinal cord injury," a family member wrote on the fundraiser."The road ahead will be long, and the recovery will not be easy, we’re holding on to hope.""We believe in m...