Summary: Kiara Diaz, a 29-year-old ER nurse from Massachusetts, fell about 15 feet while hiking to El Miro in Costa Rica, sustaining a fractured spine, a broken collarbone and temporary paralysis of her legs. Her two companions, also registered nurses, stabilized her until emergency responders arrived nearly two hours later. Diaz remains hospitalized in Costa Rica and is currently considered unfit to fly; her family is seeking repatriation and surgery in Boston but faces steep costs after she canceled insurance before traveling.
American ER Nurse Temporarily Paralyzed After 15-Foot Fall in Costa Rica — Family Seeks Urgent Help
Dec 11
Kiara Diaz, a 29-year-old emergency department nurse from Worcester, Massachusetts, remains hospitalized in Costa Rica after a severe hiking fall that left her temporarily paralyzed and facing an extended recovery.
What happened: On the final day of a vacation, Diaz and two friends climbed to El Miro, an abandoned mansion on a mountainside near Jaco that overlooks the Pacific. According to family members, Diaz stepped backward near a steep drop and fell roughly 15 feet. The fall reportedly fractured her spine, broke her collarbone and left her legs temporarily paralyzed.
Immediate care: Diaz's two travel companions — both registered nurses — rotated turns stabilizing her spine on the ground until emergency responders arrived. Samantha Cruz, one companion, told NBC Boston that nearly two hours passed between the 911 call and the arrival of emergency personnel.
'They spent two hours on the floor, taking turns stabilizing her spine because they didn’t want her to move at all,' Cruz said. 'They didn’t know the extent of her injuries at that point.' — Samantha Cruz
Medical and logistical challenges: Diaz is under observation at a Costa Rican hospital while doctors assess whether she is fit to travel. Costa Rican physicians have indicated she is not currently safe to fly. Her family wants her repatriated to Boston for surgery and follow-up care, but repatriation and U.S. medical treatment are expensive because Diaz reportedly canceled her travel and health insurance shortly before the trip.
'Unfortunately, she canceled it before securing a new one, went to another country, and got injured. She just wants to get back to the United States. That’s the biggest thing,' said her brother, Gindember Diaz.
A GoFundMe organized by Cruz says Diaz has 'received very limited medical care' in Costa Rica and at one point was left 'lying in the hallway without monitoring.' A surgery was reported to be scheduled for Dec. 9, but the family has not confirmed whether the procedure took place. Even with surgery, doctors warn Diaz faces a lengthy rehabilitation.
Support and next steps: Family and friends are coordinating fundraising and logistical support to bring Diaz home for definitive care and recovery. The wider nursing and local communities have rallied to amplify the GoFundMe and assist with communication between hospitals and U.S.-based providers.
Reporting: Initial details were reported by local outlets and reprinted by Men's Journal on Dec. 10, 2025.
