A Cumming, Georgia, family is in mourning after 49-year-old Saumen Kundu drowned off the coast of Hilton Head, South Carolina. Kundu and his son were swimming in the Atlantic when they were caught in a rip current that dragged them out to sea, according to the Beaufort County, South Carolina, Sheriff's Office, as reported by FOX5 Atlanta. The incident occurred on Thursday, and despite swift action from beach patrol and Good Samaritans, Kundu did not survive.
Kundu's son, Akash Kundu, recounted the harrowing experience, saying, "We tried to swim back, but he became unconscious on the way, and, uh, I called for help." Akash attempted to save his father with the aid of life preserver hoops before rescue officials arrived. "Ten minutes later, someone came and brought those hoops, like life-saver hoops," Akash told FOX5 Atlanta. Kundu's widow, Niveditha Saumen, arrived at the beach to find her husband had already been pulled from the water. She expressed the sudden impact of the tragedy, stating, "He was already gone. He was lying, and he was lying dead. Nothing ran through my mind because there was no time."
The Beaufort County Coroner’s Office confirmed the identity of the victim after the Sea Pines beach incident. Once on shore, bystanders and emergency responders initiated lifesaving efforts for Kundu, which ultimately proved unsuccessful. "Mr. Kundu died on July 24, 2025 at approx. 7:51 pm on scene at a beach in Sea Pines from drowning," the coroner's office announced in a statement obtained by Livemint.
The local Indian consulate expressed their condolences and offered support to the family, noting, "We are deeply saddened by the news of a tragic drowning incident near Hilton Head Island that claimed the life of an Indian national. Consulate is coordinating with local authorities and humanitarian groups and extending full support to the family during this difficult time," according to Livemint. This summer has seen multiple drownings in Beaufort County, with four incidents reported thus far. Authorities continue to caution beachgoers about the dangers of rip currents and adverse water conditions.
A colleague of Kundu has established a GoFundMe page to help the now bereaved family. Kundu, an IT professional and the family's sole provider, had lived in Cumming for roughly 10 years. Those interested in supporting the family can find more details on the fundraising page linked in the FOX5 Atlanta article.
