An Oklahoma mother died after being swept out to sea by a powerful wave in Hawaii that injured her daughter and killed another man.
Susie Jett, 72, and her daughter, Laura Rich, 41, both of Oklahoma City, were visiting Kei Iki Beach on Oahu, about 25 miles from Honolulu, on Monday when they were swept out to sea by a wave. Dangerously large around 8am.
The couple and another man, Bryan C Kunic, 63, of Hollister, California, were stranded in the ocean for about 20 minutes before being rescued.
Kunic, who was sitting on the beach when the wave caught him, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to khon and a GoFundMe Campaign.
Jett was transported to the hospital in critical condition and placed on advanced life support, KHON reported. Rich, who was conscious when rescuers reached her, was taken to the hospital in serious condition.
Susie Jett, 72, and her daughter, Laura Rich, 41, both of Oklahoma City, were visiting Kei Iki Beach on Oahu, about 25 miles from Honolulu, on Monday when they were swept out to sea by a dangerously large wave.
Family friend Shawn McGraw, who started a GoFundMe for the mother and daughter, said Jett received “45 minutes of CPR” and was on “life support in the ICU.”
Lifeguards had been putting up warning signs indicating high waves, which are not uncommon in the area during the winter, when they heard cries for help, KHON reported.
Lifeguards responded with an all-terrain vehicle, a jet ski and a mobile truck before swimming to the stranded tourists and using a rescue board to bring them back.
The National Weather Service had issued a high surf advisory at the time, with waves up to 15 feet high, according to KHON.
Ocean Safety spokeswoman Shayne Enright said the victims were not dressed to go swimming and were simply “caught off guard” as the waves “kicked up.”
The couple and another man, Bryan C Kunic, 63, of Hollister, California, were stranded in the ocean for about 20 minutes before being rescued (pictured: Kei Iki Beach).
“They were on (the) shore either taking photos of the waves or watching them when a large set appeared,” he told KHON.
The area has a long history of sweeping people out to sea and having dangerous surf conditions, according to Ocean Safety Lt. Kerry Atwood.
“It’s by far one of the most dangerous places we have here in Hawaii,” he told KHON, calling the area a “recipe for disaster.”
Nearby residents think vacation rental owners should do more to warn and educate tourists about how dangerous the beach can be, since rescues often occur during the winter surf season.
“I think every year I’ve lived across the street from this beach I’ve seen one death on Ke Iki Beach or more,” Dave Homcy, who has lived across the street from the beach for 20 years, told the outlet.
“I don’t think there are any signs on these houses telling people how to be more aware here and what to do if they have problems.”
Kunic, who was sitting on the beach when the wave caught him, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses said the three victims were staying in rental homes, according to KHON.
The beach also does not have a lifeguard tower, since sometimes the waves can completely clean the sand area.
Kunic’s wife, Carolyn, said her husband loved to travel and had recently obtained his glider license, which allows him to fly small planes.
The engineer, who worked for California Water Service before retiring, was also an “animal lover” and shared five dogs and three horses with his wife. They often attended concerts and horse clinics, and both learned to play guitar together.
“I miss my partner with all my heart,” he said. “Please be in peace, dear Bryan.”