Oklahoma Mom, And 63-Year-Old Man Passed Away After Being Pulled Out To Sea, Daughter Hospitalized
While on vacation, three people—a 63-year-old man from California, and two women from Oklahoma—were swept out to sea on Monday. The man did not survive, and both women were rushed to the hospital. Sadly, one of the women later passed away.
Susie Jett, 72, from Oklahoma City, was identified as one of the victims of a tragic high-surf incident at Ke Iki Beach on Oʻahu’s North Shore on Monday, October 14, according to the Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office.
The incident occurred around 8 a.m. when Jett, her daughter, Laura Rich, 41, and Bryan Kunic, 63, from Hollister, California, were pulled into the ocean by powerful waves. None of the victims were in the water when the wave came up to the shoreline and pulled them in.
At the time, the area was under a high surf advisory, with waves reaching 6 to 8 feet and possibly rising to 18 feet. Signs warning of strong currents and dangerous shore breaks were posted around the beach, which has no lifeguard tower. A storm system moving through the area caused the dangerous waves.
Bryan Kunic was pronounced dead at the scene.Both Jett and Rich were taken to the hospital. Jett, who was found unresponsive, later died. Rich remains hospitalized in serious; but, stable condition.
Oʻahu’s North Shore is known for its massive winter swells, attracting surfers and spectators worldwide, but these waves can also be unpredictable and dangerous. Honolulu Ocean Safety Lt. Kerry Atwood explained that the waves at Ke Iki beach have “a long history of knocking people down [and] pulling them out” to sea.
“It by far is one of the most dangerous shore breaks we have here in Hawaii,” Atwood said to PEOPLE.
There is a GoFundMe to help with medical and travel costs for The Rich family. So far, $6100 has been raised. Laura Rich and her mother Susie Jett were vacationing in Hawaii. The two women did not know Kunic. Bryan Kunic’s wife also set up a GoFundMe to help offset the costs to bring Bryan home and cover his funeral expenses.
Rest In Peace.