Couple die in freak snorkelling incident during babymoon in Hawaii

A young couple's babymoon ended in tragedy when they both drowned while snorkelling in Hawaii.

Ilya Tsaruk, 25, and his pregnant wife Sophia, 26, were found unresponsive in waters near Maui’s Ahihi-Kina'u Natural Area Reserve on September 14.

The Washington couple were parents to an 18-month-old son and expecting their second child, to be named Melody.

Emergency responders found Mrs Tsaruk 140 metres from shore and attempted CPR. Mr Tsaruk was later discovered "on the bottom" of the ocean floor.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Family members told KITV the couple were on holiday with two othercouples, including Mr Tsaruk's brother.

They were wearing full-face snorkel masks at the time.

"We don't think that she suffocated in the mask," said Anatoliy Tsaruk, Ilya's brother. "It might've just played a role in scaring her to panic. Everything is just speculation at this point."

A GoFundMe page described the Tsaruks as devoted churchgoers who sang in a worship group. It has raised nearly £113,000 for funeral expenses.

A memorial service is planned for September 26, with burial the following day.

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