Worcester, Massachusetts — A Worcester emergency room nurse remains hospitalized in Costa Rica after a devastating fall during a sightseeing hike left her with multiple fractures, temporary paralysis, and no clear timeline for returning home. The incident has rapidly evolved into a medical and logistical crisis for her family, who are now struggling to navigate foreign hospital protocols, insurance challenges, and mounting travel costs.
Last-Day Hike Ends in Serious Injury
29-year-old Kiara Diaz, an ER nurse from Massachusetts, was on the final day of a vacation with friends when they decided to take one last scenic hike before flying home. The group traveled to El Miro, an abandoned hillside mansion known for its sprawling views of Jaco and the Pacific coastline.
While walking near the structure, Diaz accidentally stepped backward off a ledge, falling an estimated 15 feet onto the ground below. According to her brother, Gindember Diaz, the fall resulted in a fractured spine, a broken collarbone, and temporary paralysis in both legs.
“She just wants to get back to the United States,” he said, describing her fear and exhaustion after days of uncertainty.
Friends Worked to Stabilize Her for Two Hours
Emergency crews took nearly two hours to reach the remote site after Diaz’s friends called for help. Both friends, who are registered nurses, immediately worked to stabilize her spine, unsure of the extent of her injuries but aware of how critical it was to prevent movement.
“They took turns keeping her still,” family friend Samantha Cruz said. “They didn’t know how badly she was hurt, but they knew she couldn’t move.”
Diaz was eventually transported to a local hospital, where doctors confirmed serious spinal trauma. Initial reports indicate she had been receiving limited medical monitoring, with Cruz noting that Diaz was at one point lying in a hallway without ongoing assessment.
Insurance Lapse Leaves Family Scrambling
Complicating the situation further, Diaz had no active travel or health insurance at the time of the accident. Her brother explained that she had recently canceled her prior coverage after it stopped paying for a medication she needed and intended to transition to a new plan—only for the injury to occur before the switch could be completed.
“Unfortunately, she canceled it before securing a new one, went to another country, and got injured,” he said.
Now, the family is confronted with overwhelming administrative and financial barriers. Transporting a critically injured patient internationally can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and foreign hospitals require extensive documentation before releasing patients for transfer.
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Surgery in Costa Rica and a Long Road Ahead
Doctors have determined that Diaz is not stable enough to fly. She was scheduled to undergo spinal surgery in Costa Rica, a necessary step before any medical evacuation could even be considered.
Even after the procedure, her recovery will be long and uncertain. Physicians expect ongoing rehabilitation, and it remains unclear when she might regain full mobility.
Her mother and brother have since flown to Costa Rica to support her through the early stages of recovery.
Community Rallies Through Fundraising Efforts
A GoFundMe organized by Cruz is now helping keep friends and supporters updated while raising funds to cover medical and transportation costs. Cruz wrote that Diaz, a dedicated ER nurse, has “spent her career caring for others,” emphasizing that she now needs that same support extended to her.
“Being seriously injured in another country has made an already overwhelming situation even harder,” Cruz said. “She needs help getting home safely.”
Share Your Thoughts
Have you ever faced a medical emergency while traveling abroad? Share your experience and thoughts in the comments below.
