Two women who were swept out to sea by freak wave and drowned are identified as shattered loved ones reveal their harrowing final moments

By ASHLEY KNICKEL and NICHOLAS COMINO FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 16:03 BST, 14 May 2025 | Updated: 16:04 BST, 14 May 2025

Two close friends who tragically lost their lives at a popular but dangerous beach have been identified. 

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 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.

Ms Hunt usually went fishing at the local jetty, which currently off-limits 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

Ms Hunt (pictured in a green vest) was swept away by a large wave and Beth (pictured in a grey vest) jumped into the water to try and save her

The women’s bodies were recovered several hours later. 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 sai.d

Her friend 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.’

Ms Hunt’s husband, Michael (pictured), smiled while looking at her photo, calling her ‘sweetie’

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 fishing spot, promoted by the South Australian Tourism Commission as an ‘excellent location’ for beach fishing. 

While it’s a popular destination, swimming is strongly discouraged due to the presence of powerful rips and heavy swells.

The coastline is notorious for its unpredictable surf and has claimed lives in the past.

The tragedy comes four months after surfer Lance Appleby, 28, was mauled to death by a shark in nearby Streaky Bay.

Beth (centre) and Ms Hunt (right) were fishing when they were tragically swept away and drowned

‘It is another tragic blow for our community of Streaky Bay and my condolences go out to the family and friends at this very tough time,’ Streaky Bay mayor Travis Barber said.

‘My thoughts and thanks also go out to the volunteers and first responders that have had to deal with yet another tragic incident of which would be very close to home for many of them, as it does when you live in a small close knit community.

‘We will rally around them and pull together again.’

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Two women who were swept out to sea by freak wave and drowned are identified as shattered loved ones reveal their harrowing final moments

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