Ritu Jha–
An Indian-origin woman who was vacationing in California died when a large wave struck her down at Pismo beach, a coastal city located approximately 200 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Brindha Shunmuganathan, 39, and her two children were at the local beach when a massive wave knocked them down on the morning of December 30, 2023, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office said.
Shunmuganathan and her family, who were visiting from Cumming in Georgia, had checked into a nearby hotel and had gone to the beach at around 9 am to take pictures. Last week, San Luis Obispo county and the rest of the Central Coast were given a high surf warning, with businesses and beaches hit hard with large surges, rogue waves, and flooding.
Family members rescued the two children, but Shunmuganathan got stuck on a rock bed and was continuously hit by oncoming waves, the local media reported. Bystanders who witnessed the incident pulled Shunmuganathan out of the swirling waters and attempted to save her by administering CPR, police said. Pismo Beach Police Department officers arrived at the scene at 9:11 a.m. and tried to save her.
After several attempts, she was pronounced dead at the scene by medics who came moments later, police said. The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office said investigators are waiting for an autopsy to determine the cause of Shunmuganathan’s death.
In an interview with indica, an official from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff‘s office said, “This incident took place approximately 9:00 AM on Dec. 30 near the beach access area near the Sea Crest Hotel (2241 Price Street, Pismo Beach). The victim is a 39-year-old female, Brindha Shunmuganathan from Georgia. She and her family were staying at a hotel in Pismo Beach and decided to look at the ocean and take pictures of the waves. A large wave came up, knocked her and her two juvenile children down. Family was able to rescue the two children, but the victim kept getting hit by the waves and remained on a bed of rocks. She was pulled from the water by bystanders, who then started CPR. Fire & Medics responded and took over CPR, but lifesaving attempts were ultimately unsuccessful. Cause of death is pending an autopsy.”
Local officers said the National Weather Service had warned about hazardous beach conditions for the Central Coast, with the forecast warning about large waves that go up to 25 feet. Officials had warned people to stay away from the water because of dangerous surf and life-threatening rip currents.
On December 28, eight people in Ventura were injured when they were struck by a massive wave that swept over a sea wall and flooded nearby streets. Several people were taken to the hospital and treated for moderate injuries, authorities said. On December 30, 2023, The Ventura County Fire Department issued an evacuation warning for some residences bordering Pacific Coast Highway due to high surf.
Indian-origin Georgia woman succumbs after massive wave strikes her at Pismo Beach, California
