News Summary
A tragic drowning incident occurred at Hilton Head Island involving Saumen Kundu, a father from Georgia, who lost his life while swimming with his son. Caught in a rip current, their struggle led to a heroic rescue attempt by beachgoers, but despite efforts, Kundu was pronounced dead at the scene. This event marked the fourth drowning in Beaufort County this summer, prompting authorities to urge the public to prioritize water safety. The community is rallying to support Kundu’s family during this difficult time.
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina – A tragic drowning incident occurred on Thursday evening when Saumen Kundu, a 49-year-old father from Cumming, Georgia, lost his life while swimming with his son, Akash, at Hilton Head Island. The event took place around 7 p.m. near the Sea Pines community, where the two got caught in a dangerous rip current.
Despite the quick efforts of local beachgoers, including Gavin Stokes and his sister Erica Boulay, Kundu could not be revived after being pulled from the water. Stokes, who was vacationing in the area, witnessed the distress when he and his sister heard cries for help from Kundu and Akash.
Stokes was alerted to the trouble when his partner spotted a child in distress with binoculars. Racing to the beach, Stokes entered the water after Boulay had thrown a life preserver to him. Stokes and Boulay were familiar with the dangerous conditions that can arise in the region’s waters, having vacationed in Hilton Head numerous times. However, the choppy ocean conditions made Stokes’s rescue efforts challenging.
Upon reaching the father and son, Stokes found Kundu unresponsive and facedown in the water. He managed to position a safety ring under Kundu’s upper body to keep his face above the water and attempted rescue breathing. After several unsuccessful efforts to revive Kundu in the water, Stokes, with Akash’s help, began the arduous return to shore. Boulay contacted emergency services for a rescue boat, but it did not arrive in time.
Stokes and Akash faced strong currents during the estimated 20-minute struggle back to the beach. Emergency responders arrived shortly after their return and performed CPR on Kundu for approximately 30 minutes, but unfortunately, he could not be revived and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that this drowning marks the fourth incident in Beaufort County this summer. In light of recent events, the Sheriff’s office has urged the public to prioritize water safety, especially regarding rip currents, particularly during the hurricane season when ocean conditions can be more perilous.
Saumen Kundu was the sole provider for his family, leaving behind his wife and children during this difficult time. To support his family, a GoFundMe campaign has been established, emphasizing the community’s efforts to help those affected by this tragedy. Fortunately, Akash reportedly escaped unharmed and has been commended for his bravery amidst the chaos. Stokes has also highlighted the importance of ensuring that Akash does not carry the burden of feeling responsible for his father’s death.
In response to the incident, both Stokes and Boulay are advocating for enhanced safety measures and improved emergency equipment along the beach. Their experience has raised awareness about the crucial need for better resources to facilitate rescue attempts in the future, emphasizing the importance of preparedness in dealing with dangerous water situations.
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Additional Resources
- ABC News 4
- Island Packet
- WTOC
- Fox 5 Atlanta
- Times of India
- Wikipedia: Rip Current
- Google Search: Hilton Head Island water safety
- Google Scholar: Swimming Safety
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Water Safety
- Google News: Drownings Hilton Head
Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT
The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
