Carnduff woman in ICU after being hit by ‘rogue wave’ on Mexican honeymoon

By Brett Lubkiwski

Dalton and Cory Moe were excited to finally go on their honeymoon more than a year after getting married.

The couple tied the knot in December of 2021, but put the trip on hold because of travel restrictions and work commitments.

They set out on their long-awaited honeymoon to Puerto Vallarta last week, but on the third day of their trip the couple was in the water when a rogue wave swept up Cory, turning her over and throwing her in the water.

Dalton was able to rescue Cory and get her out of the water, with help from a couple of bystanders who happened to be nurses.

Cory’s sister, Brianne Fitzpatrick, told 980 CJME’s John Gormley that the nurses were able to control the situation and help Cory.

“They took control of the scene and stabilized her. They got the emergency services, the ambulance, lined up and within five to 10 minutes she was on her way to the hospital,” Fitzpatrick said.

Cory suffered damage to her neck from the wave, Fitzpatrick said. Her C3, C4 and C5 vertebrae were impacted, which puts pressure onto her spinal cord.

The incident happened on Tuesday of last week, and by Friday Fitzpatrick said the doctors were able to perform cervical spine surgery.

They were able to put a cage and rods in order to secure her neck, Fitzpatrick explained, and Cory is currently recovering in the ICU.

Fitzpatrick said Cory’s family doesn’t know how long she will have to stay in the hospital before she is stable enough to return to Saskatchewan.

“With the spinal cord injury, they’re telling us it can take several weeks to know what we’re looking at, so it’s very much day by day,” Fitzpatrick said.

“It’s not something that will be measured in hours or days, but more weeks, months and potentially years.”

Fitzpatrick is currently in Carnduff with her mother while Cory’s father, sister and husband are in Puerto Vallarta supporting Cory and each other.

“We’re all just hoping and praying for Cory,” said Fitzpatrick.

Only one person at a time can currently visit Cory in the ICU at Hospital Joya in Puerto Vallarta, Fitzpatrick added.

A GoFundMe has been started for Cory, and as of Wednesday has raised more than $40,000 of the $60,000 goal.

“We were asked by friends, family, community members, strangers to set something up, because so many people wanted to help and support her. It’s been amazing how far and wide it’s reached,” said Fitzpatrick.

“The absolute kindness and generosity of people has been overwhelming.”