A 36-year-old mother from the Midlands has died after entering the ocean to save her two sons during a family snorkelling trip in the Bahamas. Leanne Gregory, from Stapleford, Nottingham, was pronounced dead at a local medical centre on Tuesday, October 20, after being pulled from the water near North Bimini. Her two boys were safely rescued.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force said officers at the Alice Town Police Station were informed shortly after 10am that a woman was unresponsive at the North Bimini Ferry Dock. Ms Gregory had been transported to a local clinic, where a doctor pronounced her dead despite efforts to save her life.
Husband's desperate rescue attempt
Her husband Nathan, also 36, reportedly tried to revive her by giving her the 'kiss of life', according to the boys' grandmother, who spoke to The Telegraph. The grandmother said: "It is devastating. Leanne drowned trying to save her two boys who got into trouble in choppy waters. They can both swim, they're good swimmers, but the current was too strong." She added that Mr Gregory's attempt came "sadly, it was too late."
Preliminary police reports indicate the family was snorkelling near the southern point of the island when a strong current swept both children away. In trying to rescue her sons, Ms Gregory was also swept away. She was later rescued and brought to the ferry dock, where CPR was administered.
Witnesses call her a hero
Linty Stuart, owner of L&A Water Taxi, told ZNS he was captaining the snorkelling boat when the incident happened and that bystanders pulled the two boys out of the water. One witness described Ms Gregory as a "hero", saying: "Both children were rescued, I was there for all of it. She's a hero. Also pray for her husband. He went out to save the other boy but a bystander was able to get him. It was truly terrible and nobody's fault. Just two boys who were eager to get in the water and then things went crazy fast. Two of the best parents I've ever seen in my entire life."
The Royal Bahamas Police Force confirmed that foul play is not suspected at this time. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
Family support and next steps
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is providing support to the family. A spokesperson said: "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."
A post-mortem examination will now be carried out as part of the investigation into the sudden death of the 36-year-old British woman.
