A San Jose couple's dream honeymoon in Hawaii turned into a heartbreaking tragedy after a snorkeling accident resulted in the groom's untimely death, and to add further pain, the wife discovered her belongings stolen while she watched her husband receive CPR on the beach, according to KRON4.
The incident occurred at Electric Beach in Nānākuli, where witnesses say that the groom, 49-year-old Steven Phan, was snorkeling with his wife, Brittany Myers Phan, when he encountered difficulties, as per the KHON2 article; Honolulu Emergency Medical Services responded to a 911 call, and bystanders performed CPR on the unresponsive Phan before he was transported to the hospital, where he later passed away.
While grappling with the incomprehensible loss, Brittany Myers Phan discovered that while she was watching her husband receive CPR, someone had stolen her backpack containing her driver's license, rental car keys and rental car, which the Honolulu police are investigating as a theft and auto theft related to the snorkeling tragedy, and according to KHON2, this theft adds even more complications to the already overwhelming situation, as Brittany has to navigate the process of obtaining a new ID to fly back to the Bay Area for her husband's funeral, yet she remains stuck in Hawaii.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for the couple, sharing their devastating story and how the theft of their belongings, including cellphones, wallets and clothes, has further compounded their distress; Brittany and Steven, who worked for Apple in Cupertino and celebrated their wedding day on March 20, were just beginning their life together, making their story all the more tragic, and the Phan and Myers families now face the financial burden of funeral and memorial costs, as well as the unexpected expenses related to Steven's passing.
Witnesses at the scene told KHON2 just how heartrending the situation was, with one saying she felt "so sad inside, like, cannot believe still", and expressing the inherent tragedy of the situation, as the couple, who were on their honeymoon, should have been experiencing happiness, not such a devastating loss; additionally, Waipahu resident Rhonda Aquino, who grew up frequenting Electric Beach, expressed hope that measures would be taken to prevent future accidents by adding a lifeguard stand in the potentially dangerous area which is popular among tourists, but where currents can be strong, especially for those unfamiliar with the region.
There is at least some hope on the horizon, as City Councilmember Andrea Tupola shared with KHON2 that the city plans to add a lifeguard stand and necessary staffing to the area in early September, effectively addressing concerns about the safety of Electric Beach, which has been growing in popularity among tourists due to social media exposure, but as of now, the beach does not have a lifeguard, making it potentially treacherous for those inexperienced with the area, and following the tragedy, growing calls for increased safety measures have emerged, as well as condolences and support for the Phan and Myers families.
With the heartbreaking accident and the subsequent theft robbing Brittany Myers Phan of not only her husband but also her belongings in what can only be described as a tremendously cruel twist of fate, the grief-stricken widow must navigate countless hurdles in order to return home for her husband's funeral, as summarized in the GoFundMe page, which seeks to help ease the burden facing Steven's family and support them in the coming months, a difficult and uncertain journey that no newlywed should ever have to face, highlighting the undeniable tragedy of the situation.
