A Carlsbad first responder is facing a long and uncertain recovery after a bodysurfing accident Aug. 28 left him with fractures to multiple cervical vertebrae and significant paralysis of his arms and legs, according to a fundraising page and news interviews.
Accident, rescue and treatment
Matt Lee, described by organizers as a paramedic with more than two decades of service, was bodysurfing in Carlsbad when he "caught a wave that slammed him to the bottom," according to a GoFundMe set up to help cover his medical bills. The page says Lee sustained fractures to the C4 and C5 vertebrae, plus a complete fracture at C6, injuries that caused extensive loss of movement.
Lee recounted the moment of injury in an interview cited by ABC 10:
“I remember very vividly hitting the sand and hearing underwater, my neck break. And I was floating face down in the water, totally awake but couldn’t move anything.”
Co-workers and medically trained companions were on the scene. The GoFundMe and a post in a local Facebook group say fellow paramedic Bryce Mihaly pulled Lee from the water and that Lee’s girlfriend, who has medical training, assisted with life‑saving measures. He was flown by air to a trauma center and underwent emergency spinal surgery to stabilize and fuse portions of his cervical spine and to remove a herniated disc that was compressing the spinal cord.
Recovery prospects and needs
Post-surgery updates say Lee has regained some sensation, but remains significantly impaired and faces an extended rehabilitation period. The GoFundMe organizer, Jennifer Silva, wrote that Lee has spent more than two decades serving the community and now needs support to cover the costs and logistics of recovery.
Funds raised will be used to cover a range of needs, the page states:
- Hospital and surgical expenses
- Ongoing medical care and medications
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Specialized equipment and transportation
- Home modifications and other unexpected costs
The fundraising appeal emphasizes the cumulative cost and practical challenges that follow a severe spinal injury, particularly for a working first responder who requires both long-term clinical care and adjustments to daily living arrangements.
Local implications
Lee’s injury has drawn attention within Carlsbad’s emergency response community and among residents who know him through professional and recreational circles. The quick actions of colleagues at the scene and the availability of air transport to a trauma center likely affected his immediate prognosis, but medical updates stress a lengthy road ahead.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of accident | Aug. 28 |
| Injuries reported | Fractures at C4, C5; complete fracture at C6; herniated disc |
| Immediate response | Rescued by coworker and medically trained partner; airlifted to trauma center |
| Current status | Underwent emergency spinal surgery; some sensation returned; rehabilitation ongoing |
Community fundraising and neighbor-to-neighbor support are common responses when first responders are struck by severe injury. Beyond financial assistance, advocates for spinal injury patients note the importance of coordinated rehabilitation services, durable medical equipment and modifications to living spaces to enable long-term care.
Organizers say contributions will assist with immediate bills and the many practical needs that follow such an injury. The GoFundMe, media coverage and social posts have been used to alert colleagues, residents and supporters in Carlsbad and beyond.
WE NEWS will follow developments and provide updates as more information becomes available from Lee’s family and medical representatives.
