Port Angeles, Wash. – Around 5:30pm on October 11, Olympic National Park Rangers, Forks Ambulance and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a distress call on Ruby Beach. Indianapolis resident Susan Newcome was recreating in the tidal zone when a wave swept her underwater. The 52 year-old woman was recovered unresponsive by bystanders approximately eight minutes later. CPR was provided by first responders and bystanders on scene. A Life Flight helicopter evacuated Newcome and continued CPR. At Olympic Medical Center, she was pronounced deceased.

The incident is currently under investigation by the National Park Service.