Mother is swept out to sea and her daughter hospitalized after being struck by enormous wave in Hawaii

An Oklahoma mother died after being swept into the sea by a powerful wave in Hawaii, injuring her daughter and killing 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 outside Honolulu, on Monday when they were carried out to sea by the dangerously large wave around 8 a.m. .

The pair 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 took him, was pronounced dead at the scene KHON and a GoFundMe campaign.

Jett was transported to the hospital in critical condition and was given advanced life support, KHON reported. Rich, who was conscious when rescuers arrived, was taken to hospital in serious condition.

Family friend Shawn McGraw, who has a GoFundMe for the mother and daughter, said Jett was given “45 minutes of CPR” and “on life support in the intensive care unit.”

Lifeguards had posted warning signs indicating high waves — not uncommon in the area in winter — when they heard cries for help, KHON reported.

Lifeguards responded with an ATV, a jet ski and a mobile truck before swimming to the stranded tourists and using a rescue board to bring them back inside.

According to KHON, the National Weather Service had issued a high surf advisory at the time, with expected wave heights of up to 15 feet.

Ocean Safety spokesperson Shayne Enright said the victims were not dressed for swimming and were simply “caught off guard” as the surf “rose.”

The pair and another man, Bryan C Kunic, 63, of Hollister, California, were stranded in the ocean for about 20 minutes before being rescued (Photo: Kei Iki Beach)

“They were on [the] coast, either taking pictures of the surf or watching the surf when a large group showed up,” she told KHON.

According to Ocean Safety Lieutenant Kerry Atwood, the area has a long history of dragging people out to sea and creating dangerous surfing conditions.

“It is by far one of the most dangerous coastal breaks we have here in Hawaii,” she told KHON, calling the area a “recipe for disaster.”

Local residents say vacation rental owners should do more to warn and educate tourists about how dangerous the beach can be, as rescues often take place during the winter surfing season.

“I think every year I’ve lived across the street from this beach, I’ve seen a 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 signs in these houses telling people how to be more aware of this and what to do if they’re in trouble.”

Kunic, who had been sitting on the beach when the wave took him, was pronounced dead at the scene

Witnesses said all three victims were staying in rental properties, according to KHON.

The beach also does not have a lifeguard tower, because the surf can sometimes completely clear the sandy area.

Kunic’s wife, Carolyn, said her husband loved to travel and had recently obtained his glider pilot’s license, which allows him to fly small planes.

The engineer, who worked for California Water Service before retiring, was also an “animal lover” who 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,” she said. “Please be peaceful, dear Bryan.”