Two close friends who lost their lives at a popular but dangerous beach have been identified as the close-knit community struggles with its second tragedy within four months.
Flags in the town centre of Streaky Bay, on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, flew at half-mast on Wednesday in memory of Zenaida Hunt, 65, and her friend Beth Peters, 67.
The pair were fishing at nearby Back Beach when Ms Hunt was swept away by a large wave on Tuesday.
Ms Peters jumped into the water in a desperate attempt to rescue her friend.
It’s understood Ms Peters’ husband Carl raced down the beach to raise the alarm after watching the tragedy unfold from the shore.
The women’s bodies were found in the water several hours later by a surfer and members of the SES following an extensive search.
Ms Hunt usually went fishing at the local jetty, which currently closed due to repairs, according to her heartbroken husband Michael.
‘There’s my sweetie,’ he told Nine News looking down at her photo.
Zenaida Hunt (pictured) and her close friend Beth died after being swept out to sea near Streaky Bay on Tuesday. This is her husband’s favourite photo of her
Ms Hunt (pictured front in a green vest) was swept away by a large wave and Beth (pictured standing in a grey vest) jumped into the water to try and save her
The women’s bodies were recovered on Tuesday afternoon. Pictured are police ate the scene
‘It’s no good at all,’ Mr Hunt said of her death. ‘I’m all tense.’
‘It was just a bit of bad luck. She went down there and got taken by a wave and that is just it.’
Mr Hunt and his wife, affectionally known as Aida, had been married for 15 years after meeting through one of his friends while in the Philippines.
‘She was working down at the clothes factory and she liked gardening,’ he said.
Her friend Beth has been remembered as a hero who did not hesitate to try and save Ms Hunt.
‘She didn’t think twice, she went in there to save her friend and I wish she could have made it back,’ Ms Peters’ niece Karen Dodge told Seven News.
‘It was such a heroic act to be brave enough to go in there with the strong currents.
‘We adored her, her infectious smile (and) always had a positive outlook on life.’
Aida husband Michael (pictured) broke his silence to pay a loving tribute on Wednesday
A nearby surfer attempted to rescue one of the women from the water but was ultimately unsuccessful in reviving her
Back Beach is a popular spot and promoted by the South Australian Tourism Commission as an ‘excellent location’ for beach fishing.
However swimming is discouraged due to the presence of powerful rips and heavy swells.
The coastline is notorious for its unpredictable surf and has previously claimed lives.
The tragedy has rocked the close-knit community, just four months after surfer Lance Appleby, 28, was mauled to death by a shark in Streaky Bay.
Beth (centre) and Ms Hunt (right) were fishing when they were tragically swept away and drowned
Streaky Bay mayor Travis Barber paid tribute to Ms Hunt, a much loved local on Wednesday.
‘She was quiet and unassuming but also lovely, bubbly and always smiling – always said hello,’ he said.
‘People are very quiet and sombre, so it’s going to be a few weeks before we get our heads around this one.’
The council will look at placing signs at popular spots to warn beachgoers of the dangerous conditions.
