A 36-year-old British woman from Stapleford in Nottinghamshire has died in the Bahamas after keeping her son afloat when her children were swept away by a powerful ocean current during a family snorkelling excursion.
Leanne Gregory had been in the water with her family off the coast of Bimini when a strong tide caught the boys. Her husband, Nathan Gregory, explained that his wife held on to their son until help arrived to extract him, but she did not have enough energy remaining to save herself. Both of the couple's sons were brought safely back to shore.
Paying tribute to his wife of 22 years, whom he described as his childhood sweetheart, Nathan Gregory posted on Facebook that the loss was "unimaginable for our family." He wrote that she was "the purest, most amazing wife, mother and friend to have ever walked this Earth," adding, "I will never get over this, she was my soulmate, my childhood sweetheart, my one and only. The foundation of my entire family and the strength that held us all together." He noted that while his sons had to witness something nobody of any age should ever see, "they know Mum died an absolute hero."
Following the tragedy, Nathan Gregory established a fundraising page "for my sons and security after the tragic loss." On the page, he described how his wife held on to their son until he was rescued "but didn't have the energy to save herself." He added: "I just have to be thankful for the hero she was in life and in death, and totally grateful for the fact my boys got out safely."
The Royal Bahamas Police Force confirmed that officers stationed on Bimini launched an investigation into the sudden death on Tuesday. According to a statement posted on social media, emergency authorities received reports shortly after 10:00 local time that a woman had been found unresponsive at the North Bimini Ferry Dock.
Police stated that after being swept away, Mrs. Gregory was brought to the ferry dock where CPR was administered. She was then taken to a local medical clinic but was confirmed dead there. Police noted that an autopsy will be conducted, though foul play is not suspected.
A spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office extended condolences to the victim's family, saying: "Our thoughts are with the family of a British woman who has died in the Bahamas. We are in contact with the local authorities and providing support to her family."
