People have rallied together to raise $160,000 for the family of a pregnant mother and her husband who tragically drowned while vacationing in Hawaii.
Ilya and Sophia Tsaruk, aged 25 and 26 respectively, were vacationing on the island of Maui when the devastating event unfolded.
Ilya and Sophia sadly lost their lives. Credit: GoFundMe
The couple was reportedly snorkeling near the coast of the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve on Saturday, September 14, when they encountered trouble in the water, as reported by Sky News.
Emergency services were called to the scene just after midday following a report of swimmers or snorkelers in distress.
According to local news outlet The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, firefighters and ocean rescue teams responded to the call.
The couple, from Washington state, were vacationing in Hawaii ahead of the birth of their second child, whom they planned to name Melody.
They leave behind their 18-month-old son, who was not with them during the incident.
Emergency responders found Sophia approximately 140 meters from the shore and brought her back to land using a jet ski.
While they attempted CPR, the search continued for Ilya, who was later discovered at the bottom of the ocean.
Both were pronounced dead at the scene despite efforts to revive them.