The husband of a Midlands mother who drowned while rescuing her two sons in the Bahamas has paid an emotional tribute to his 'hero' wife, thanking her for keeping their boy above the water 'even as you were sinking'.
Leanne Gregory, 36, from Stapleford in Nottinghamshire, died on Tuesday after attempting to rescue her sons while snorkelling in the Caribbean islands. Her husband Nathan, also 36, described how the couple had been childhood sweethearts together for 22 years.
GoFundMe tribute details final moments
In a GoFundMe post, Nathan Gregory wrote that his wife was “sadly taken from us after saving my sons life in a rip tide”. He added: “She held him until he was rescued but didn’t have the energy to save herself, after a freak wave swept the boat away from her.”
Mr Gregory continued: “This loss is unimaginable for our family, she was our foundation, our support, she made us who we are. We were childhood sweethearts, my one and only. 22 years into our relationship at only 36-years-old. We had our whole lives ahead of us and it has all been taken away.”
Husband's gratitude to rescuers and sons
He expressed gratitude to those who helped: “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. Thankful for the people in the boat that noticed me flag it down after I struggled out the water, and got them out. Thankful to the lady that helped me try bring her back when the boat returned. Thankful for my boys for remaining strong after seeing something nobody should ever see.”
He concluded: “But mainly thankful to my brave, amazing wife for keeping my boy above the water even as you were sinking. You will be forever loved by everyone you knew and I know you will continue to watch over us.”
Police investigation and official response
The Royal Bahamas Police Force said officers on the island of Bimini launched an investigation into the sudden death of the 36-year-old British woman on Tuesday. In a statement posted on social media, the force said: “According to the preliminary report, shortly after 10am, officers at the Alice Town police station received information that a female was unresponsive at the North Bimini Ferry Dock.”
“Officers responded and, upon arrival, learned that the woman had been transported to the local clinic for medical attention, where she was subsequently pronounced dead by a local doctor despite efforts to save her life. Preliminary information indicates that the deceased was snorkelling with her husband and two sons near the southern point of the island when a strong current reportedly swept both children away. In an attempt to rescue her sons, the woman was also swept away. She was later rescued and transported to the ferry dock, where CPR was reportedly administered. Foul play is not suspected at this time. An autopsy will be conducted to assist in determining the exact cause of death.”
A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office 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.”
