HALEIWA, Hawaii — Two visitors are dead and one woman required medical attention after a large swell swept them into the water at Ke Iki Beach on Oahu’s North Shore. 

Around 8 a.m. on Monday, a lifeguard was posting no swimming signs along the shoreline near Ke Iki Beach when he heard people yelling for help and saw people in trouble in the ocean, according to the Honolulu Emergency Services Department. 

Strong current and dangerous shore break signs were already posted at the time of the incident. 

Lifeguards responded via all-terrain vehicle, jet ski and mobile truck — and swam to the three distressed people, bringing them through the surf back to shore on a rescue board. 

On shore, first responders performed CPR on the two unresponsive people until Honolulu EMS took over with advanced life support treatment. 

Bryan Kunic, a 63-year-old man from California, was pronounced dead on scene, while Laura Sue Jett, a 72-year-old woman from Oklahoma, was transported in critical condition to the nearest emergency room, where she was pronounced dead, according to the Honolulu Police Department.

On Wednesday, the Honolulu Medical Examiner said the cause and manner of death are pending in both cases.

EMS transported a third person, a 41-year-old woman from Oklahoma, who was awake and alert, to another emergency room in serious condition. A GoFundMe fundraiser identified her as Laura Rich, the daughter of Laura Sue Jett, who was known as "Susie." 

HPD said the two deceased victims did not know each other, but were at the same location. 

Ocean Safety does not have a lifeguard station at Ke Iki Beach, but lifeguards regularly patrol the area via ATV and jet ski. The closest lifeguard tower is about a half a mile down the beach at Rock Piles. 

The surf was 6- to 8-foot faces with a rising swell. 

Editor's note: This story was updated with information from the Honolulu Police Department regarding the death of the 72-year-old woman, with information from the Honolulu Medical Examiner regarding the identities of the victims, and with information from a GoFundMe. (Oct. 17, 2024)