Orange County Father Paralyzed
An Orange County father of five is facing a long road to recovery after suffering a devastating spinal cord injury while trying to rescue a child in distress in the ocean off San Clemente.
Josh Collette was at Riviera Beach in San Clemente when he saw a boy struggling in the water. Without hesitation, Collette entered the ocean to help.
The rescue attempt ended with Collette suffering a life changing injury that left him paralyzed from the neck down.
Father Injured During Rescue Attempt
According to accounts from Collette’s family, the father of five saw children in trouble in the water and moved toward them to help.
Collette dove into the ocean but struck the bottom, severely injuring his neck and spinal cord. He was pulled from the water and transported for emergency medical treatment.
Doctors determined that Collette had sustained a serious cervical spinal cord injury. The injury has left him unable to move from the neck down, dramatically changing life for him and his family.
A Family Facing An Uncertain Future
Collette remains hospitalized while undergoing treatment and beginning the recovery process.
His wife and five children have remained at his side as he confronts the physical challenges associated with his injury. The family is also preparing for significant long term medical and rehabilitation needs.
The road ahead could involve extensive rehabilitation, specialized equipment, modifications to the family’s home and continuing medical care.
A fundraising campaign has been established to help the family manage those expenses while Collette focuses on his recovery.
The Dangers Of Diving Into Unfamiliar Water
The incident has also renewed attention to the dangers of diving into the ocean, particularly when underwater conditions are difficult to see.
Sandbars, rocks and other submerged obstacles can be hidden beneath the surface. Water depth can also change significantly depending on tides, waves and shifting ocean conditions.
Experts routinely warn people not to dive into unfamiliar or shallow water because striking the bottom can cause catastrophic head, neck or spinal injuries.
Rip currents present another major danger for beachgoers. Someone caught in a rip current can be pulled away from shore quickly, and attempts to fight directly against the current can exhaust even strong swimmers.
A Rescue That Came At An Extraordinary Cost
For Collette’s family, the circumstances surrounding his injury are particularly difficult.
He entered the water because he saw a child who needed help. The decision demonstrated an instinct to protect someone else, but it ultimately left Collette with a devastating injury that could affect him for the rest of his life.
Now, instead of simply returning home from a day at the beach, the father of five is facing months or potentially years of rehabilitation while his family adjusts to a completely different future.
His loved ones continue to support him through the recovery process and are asking for help as they confront the financial and emotional burden created by the accident.
The family remains hopeful that Collette will make as much progress as possible, but his spinal cord injury has already permanently changed the lives of everyone who depends on him.
