Overview
- Ortiz said he was thrown from a boat traveling about 55 miles per hour, knocked unconscious, woke up roughly 10 feet underwater and was later rescued after the boat returned, an incident he described as near‑death.
- He reported persistent neurological and physical symptoms since the crash, including severe headaches, facial and body pain, memory loss, trouble speaking and difficulty recalling names.
- Medical scans taken after the accident reportedly found a bulging disc at C3‑C4 pressing about two millimeters on his spinal cord, which Ortiz says is the reason for the planned surgery.
- Ortiz announced he is scheduled to undergo C3‑C4 disc replacement surgery on Monday, June 8, and said he hopes the procedure will relieve pain and aid his recovery.
- Coverage is based on Ortiz’s Instagram post and video and while multiple outlets repeat his account, some details such as an earlier spinal operation are reported with limited independent confirmation.