HONOLULU (KHNL/Gray News) – A Hawaii visitor has died and two others were injured after a large surf swept them into the ocean.
According to Honolulu Ocean Safety, the tragedy happened on Oahu’s North Shore at Ke Iki Beach Monday morning when the waves were 6 to 8 feet high.
A 63-year-old man visiting the area from California, along with two women, were all swept into the water.
Authorities said the 63-year-old could not be revived and was pronounced dead at the scene.
One of the injured women was a 72-year-old who was hospitalized with critical injuries. The other, a 41-year-old, was sent to the hospital with serious injuries.
They were both visiting from Oklahoma, rescue crews said.
Ocean Safety crews said a lifeguard was posting “no swimming” signs along the shoreline when he heard yelling for help and saw the swimmers in distress.
Lifeguards swam out and brought them all to shore.
“We had three patients all back on the beach,” Honolulu Ocean Safety Lt. Kerry Atwood said. “One was being treated for a cervical injury and two were being resuscitated.”
Rescuers said Ke Iki can be a peaceful beach, but that it changes quickly during any sizable swell.
“People can come to the beach, and it looks like it’s a calm, great day for swimming. But in fact, we could have 10-foot surf that day, and they just have not seen a set,” Atwood said.
A high surf advisory remained in effect through 6 p.m. Tuesday, where waves of 14 to 18 feet were still possible.
There is no lifeguard tower at Ke Iki Beach, though lifeguards patrol the area in all-terrain vehicles and watercrafts.
Lifeguards at Waimea Bay also warned people to stay out of the dangerous surf and posted signs on the beach.
“View the surf from a beach park that has a permanent lifeguard station. Abide by our warning signs. Stay back from caution tape, and, most importantly, listen to your lifeguard,” Atwood said.
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