Open in App
  • Local
  • Headlines
  • Election
  • Crime Map
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Education
  • Real Estate
  • Newsletter
  • The Independent

    Two people are dead and another is in the hospital after ‘giant wave’ swept beachgoers away from Hawaii shore

    By Alex Lang,

    2 hours ago
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4VT5co_0wD8SYzl00
    Susie Jett, 72, from Oklahoma, was visiting Oahu, Hawaii, along with her daughter Laura Rich, 41, when they were swept from shore in a giant wave. Susie and another man, who was also swept away, died in the incident GoFundMe

    Two people are dead and a woman is hospitalized after a ‘giant wave’ swept tourists out to sea from the Hawaii shoreline.

    Susie Jett, 72, from Oklahoma , was visiting Oahu, Hawaii, along with her daughter Laura Rich, 41, when they went to the beach on October 14, according to McClatchy News . There, a giant wave grabbed them and pulled them into the ocean .

    “They’re in paradise, they’re on this beautiful Hawaiian beach. It is one of the most beautiful places on Earth and all of sudden, boom, within an instant, this giant wave came over and their loved one is gone,” Jessica Lani Rich, the president and CEO of Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii, told the KHON .

    The waves were between six to eight feet at the time.

    Brian Kunic, 63, from Hollister, California, was also along the beach and pulled out with the wave, according to KSBW . He died in the incident along with Susie Jett, who passed away at the hospital after being rescued.

    Laura Rich was rescued from the water after about 15 minutes and rushed to the hospital.

    “The partner of the man who passed away -- the visitor from California -- is heartbroken, losing the love of her life,” Jessica Lani Rich said. “In the other situation, losing a grandmother who everybody loves so suddenly, the family’s in shock and it just hurts so bad.”

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1zZX2A_0wD8SYzl00
    Susie Jett, 72, from Oklahoma, was visiting Oahu, Hawaii, along with her daughter Laura Rich, 41, when they were swept from shore in a giant wave. Susie and another man, who was also swept away, died in the incident (GoFundMe)

    Lt. Kerry Atwood,  with the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department, told KFOR that there is a history of waves in Oahu knocking people down and pulling them out into the water.

    He added the beach they were at has some of the most dangerous breaks in all of Hawaii.

    A GoFundMe page was set up to help the Jett family after the tragedy. It had raised $6,000 as of Friday afternoon.

    “We want to show their family as much love, compassion, and support as possible during this difficult time and provide them with the help they need for lodging, meals, transportation, medical, and other unknown expenses that will arise in the coming weeks and months,” the page read.

    Comments / 7
    Add a Comment
    FairAndBalanced
    23m ago
    Warnings were issued to not swim. Ignoring warnings leads to stuff like this.
    Dog Lover
    40m ago
    Nope I'll watch from way back here. waves were 6 to 7 feet and they're near the water. smh
    View all comments
    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
    Local News newsLocal News

    Comments / 0