A nurse from Mission Viejo was seriously injured by a falling tree branch while vacationing in Costa Rica over Memorial Day weekend.
Deanne Niedziela was on a waterfall hike with her husband when the tree limb fell on her.
She suffered a major spine injury that could leave her paralyzed, according to a GoFundMe page set up to help with the costs of getting Niedziela home.
The transport is estimated to cost up to $100,000, according to the post.
Friends say Niedziela was in surgery for several hours Monday.
Niedziela oversees the Spine & Neuroscience Institute and Acute Care Service for Mission Hospital.
