Surfer paralyzed after he dove into a wall of sand to save kid caught in California riptide

Surfer paralyzed after he dove into a wall of sand to save kid caught in California riptide Josh Collette, 42, remains in good spirits following the life-altering accident, saying, ‘My heart is full of love’ - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments A California surfer who dove into the ocean to save a kid caught in a riptide has been left paralyzed after hitting a wall of sand. Josh Collette, a 42-year-old father of five from San Clemente, was at Riviera Beach on August 15 with his family when he saw the child struggling in the water, according to local reports. "I dove head first, and that's my fault," Josh’s wife, Rose Collette, said as she read her husband’s lips in a hospital room during an interview with CBS News Los Angeles. As Josh was entering the water, he struck a wall of sand. "I couldn't breathe and they pulled me up out of the water,” he told the outlet, using his wife to translate. “He looked straight at me and said, ‘I broke my neck. I cannot breathe,’” Rose recalled Josh telling her during the harrowing ordeal in an interview with KTLA. “And I jumped down and he opened his mouth and I breathed into his mouth.” Josh was rushed to Providence Mission Hospital in nearby Mission Viejo, where he remained in the ICU, CBS News Los Angeles reported Monday. The family man, who broke two vertebrae and severely injured his spinal cord, told the outlet he couldn’t feel anything below his shoulders. He is expected to eventually be able to speak again, according to KTLA. The child who was stuck in the rip current made it safely out of the water, according to reports. “I only lose the dumb things like money, surfing and hobbies, but I keep the most important things — my family and my kids,” Josh mouthed in a video posted to Rose’s Instagram last week. “And my heart is full of love while I was trying to help someone else,” he said. The family has launched a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe to pay for medical bills and other expenses. They have already raised more than $221,000. “The road ahead will be long, and the recovery will not be easy, we’re holding on to hope. We believe in miracles! We’ve already seen so many and thank everyone for the love, support, and prayers!” the GoFundMe page read. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments