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Man Injured In Parasailing Accident Arrives Home

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- A homecoming is mixed with melancholy. A Roseville man is home after he was hurt in a parasailing accident during his honeymoon.

His return was paid for by community support after the parasailing tragedy that stole his new bride from him and their future together.

Victor Rodriguez was on the gurney being gingerly offloaded from this private plane at McClellan Air Park.

"We are thrilled he is alive and he's making great strides," said Victor's mother Jeannie.

He is home now healing in a local hospital more than a month after suffering beyond imagination -- not just physical injuries, but a broken heart as well.

"He still has a chest tube, he has drains, broken ribs, and of course, he lost the love of his life. That says it all really," said Jeannie.

Victor lost his wife of just 12 days, Crystal Rodriguez, in a freak parasailing mishap on their honeymoon in the Bahamas.

"Tragically we lost Crystal who was like a daughter to us," said Jeannie.

But the support of family, friends, the family church and the community was what brought this grieving groom back to his grateful family. It cost $25,000 dollars just to fly him in from Orlando.

"We've just been covered in prayer covered in love," said Jeannie.

Church friends and family brought him from Bahamas and car dealers brought him home on this flight

The Greater Sacramento New Car Dealers Association paid for the flight to Sacramento.

Victor's family is still accepting cash donations on his behalf. Here's how you can donate:

RW Baird
c/o Rodriguez family care fund
300 University Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95825

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