Giant Wave Kills Tourist in Freak Accident Along Mexican Beach
A giant wave is being blamed for the death of an elderly woman who was walking with a companion on a beach in Mexico when it broke on the shoreline, sucking her and a companion out to sea.
Local officials indicated that the deadly wave broke on shore as the pair of U.S. tourists was walking on the beach close to the famous stone arch in the Pacific resort of Cabo San Lucas. A 65-year-old woman was killed in the unusual event, while her 70-year-old partner was listed in serious condition at an area hospital.
Mexican State police say the two were on their way back to their hotel when the wave broke on shore and then proceeded to drag the pair into the ocean Tuesday. The two were removed from the water by Mexican authorities and the woman was declared dead.
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Authorities revealed that the woman was in possession of a Wisconsin driver's license and the man she was with was said to be from Nebraska. Authorities have yet to identify either of the two individuals and are in the process of contacting their next of kin.
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico stated that they had no new information to provide and where working with local authorities, according to the Associated Press.
The Mexican beach resort is known for spring breakers and warm waters, but the beach has also been highlighted as a top surfing spot due to the large waves that break off shore.
"At the other end of the scale is the big surf of Cabo San Lucas at Todos Santos, where the wave can turn into huge gun barrels, glistening steel in the noonday sun and striking awe into the township that overlooks the bay," according to an excerpt of the book "100 Best Surf Spots in the World."
"When a mighty swell hits, the big-wave riders get out their guns and face the pounding shorebreak eye to eye. It's a shoot-out with some of the most powerful waves in the world," the book reads.
